An alarming debt crisis has unfolded in Laos in recent years, raising worries about the tiny nation's obligation to its biggest creditor — China.
China became the largest foreign investor in Laos in late 2013 and since then, its influence has only continued to skyrocket.
Laos borrowed billions from President Xi Jinping's government to finance railways, highways and hydroelectric dams, depleting its foreign reserves in the process.
It's widely feared the country may be on the brink of economic collapse if the economic crisis spins out of control.
But without a clear-cut debt reduction deal with China, Laos' financial hardships will not likely ease, analysts warn.
Persons:
Xi Jinping's, kip
Organizations:
Initiative, U.S ., Asian Development Bank
Locations:
Vientiane, Laos, China, Beijing