Chinese tech giants pause stablecoin plans after Beijing steps in, FT reports
Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba-backed Ant Group (688688.SS) and e-commerce company JD.com have halted plans to issue stablecoins in Hong Kong ...
The closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Trump administration has raised doubts over the future of the U.S influence in the Global South. The abrupt policy shift disrupts ongoing humanitarian and economic development efforts, particularly in South Asia, and creates an opportunity for China to expand its soft power in the region.
With USAID pulling back, China’s extensive financial engagement and investment in South Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are likely to deepen, altering the geopolitical landscape.
USAID has played a role in South Asia, funding programs in health, education, and infrastructure. In Pakistan, USAID contributed over $8.5 billion between 2002 and 2020, funding projects in energy, agriculture, and governance. Its departure leaves a vacuum that China is prepared to fill through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Under the BRI, China has already committed more than $62 billion to Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with major investments in energy and transportation infrastructure. As USAID funding diminishes, Pakistan will likely rely even more on Chinese investment.
In Bangladesh, USAID provided over $7 billion in development assistance over the past five decades, focusing on health, climate resilience, and disaster response. However, China has made significant inroads in the country, particularly in infrastructure projects. Chinese companies have been involved in the construction of key projects such as the Padma Bridge rail link and the Dhaka - Chittagong railway expansion. As USAID reduces its role, Bangladesh has increasingly sought Chinese financing, including a $3.6 billion loan for the Payra coal-fired power plant, underscoring China's growing economic presence.
Sri Lanka has also been a significant recipient of USAID assistance, receiving over $2 billion in aid since 1956. However, Chinese investments, particularly in port development and real estate, have dramatically increased over the past decade. The construction of the Hambantota Port, funded through a $1.1 billion Chinese loan, resulted in Sri Lanka ceding a controlling stake to a Chinese company on a 99-year lease due to debt repayment struggles. As USAID’s role diminishes, Sri Lanka remains financially tied to China, increasing its dependence on Chinese-backed infrastructure projects.
China's financial engagement in South Asia has been extensive, with its total foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region reaching approximately $40 billion. In addition, China’s global foreign aid expenditures rose from $631 million in 2003 to over $3 billion by 2023. This financial clout allows Beijing to shape economic policies in recipient countries, often in ways that align with its strategic interests. The decline of USAID’s presence may further cement China’s influence, reducing Washington’s leverage in the region.
The withdrawal of USAID could shift South Asia’s geopolitical balance, giving China an even stronger foothold. China’s increasing role as a foreign aid provider means that countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka may find themselves increasingly reliant on Chinese economic aid.
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A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
Polls in Bolivia closed on Sunday, with voters awaiting the results of a presidential runoff that marks a significant rejection of the socialist government and points towards a potential shift in foreign policy, likely steering towards the United States after years of tense relations.
On October 19, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Mark Savaya, a Michigan-based entrepreneur, as the U.S. Special Envoy to Iraq.
Tufan Erhurman, a centre-left moderate, won the Turkish Cypriot presidential election on Sunday, defeating incumbent hardliner Ersin Tatar in a pivotal vote that could revive stalled U.N.-backed reunification talks on the divided island of Cyprus.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a White House meeting on Friday to accept Russia’s conditions for ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, warning that Vladimir Putin had threatened to “destroy” Ukraine if it refused to comply, according to FT.
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