We believe China Evergrande Group's nonpayment risk is escalating because of increased asset freezes from various commercial parties, indicating strained liquidity. The root cause of the challenges facing the China-based property developer is funding access, in our view, and lenders could further tighten their exposure. On Aug. 5, 2021, S&P Global Ratings downgraded Evergrande and its subsidiaries Hengda Real Estate Group Co. Ltd. and Tianji Holding Ltd. to 'CCC' from 'B-'. We also lowered our long-term issue rating on the U.S. dollar notes issued by Evergrande and guaranteed by Tianji to 'CCC-' from 'CCC+'. The negative outlook reflects Evergrande's increasing strained liquidity and nonpayment risk. It also reflects our view that its asset disposal plan, though potentially substantial, lacks visibility