Intensifying financial distress in developing economies is increasing the risk of economic and political instability and creating more pressure for China to engage in debt relief negotiations. Signs of financial distress are particularly pronounced in lower-income countries, such as Ghana, even though several middle-income countries, such as Sri Lanka, have also been affected. A large number of countries, including Bangladesh, Ghana, Pakistan and even Serbia, have in recent months requested financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Many lower-income countries do not have a sovereign debt rating, but among those that do, many are rated CCC or below by Fitch Ratings or Moody's Investors Service, indicating a high level of default risk. This group includes Argentina, Belarus, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Laos, Lebanon, the Maldives, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tunisia, Ukraine and Zambia.