DALIAN, China/MUMBAI -- China's once-unstoppable Belt and Road Initiative has hit a speed bump, with many loans to emerging economies falling into repayment problems, forcing Beijing to tread lightly on lending.
In Sri Lanka, the southern port of Hambantota is an isolated area with peacocks and monkeys roaming around. Paved roads are dominated by cows instead of vehicles in the port, for which China obtained the rights to operate for 99 years in exchange for debt forgiveness. Signs warn of wild elephant crossings.