Chinese officials and state media are on the offensive after credit agency Moody¡¯s downgraded its outlook for China¡¯s credit rating from stable to negative.

On Tuesday, the agency forecast slowing growth in the coming years, in part due to China¡¯s aging population, and said that the need for bailouts and government support could weigh on the country¡¯s economic strength. While Moody¡¯s downgraded the outlook, it retained China¡¯s A1 rating, meaning there is a low credit risk.

Downgrading an outlook indicates that the nation¡¯s rating might slip in the future. In November, Moody¡¯s cut its U.S. outlook, citing political polarization as a factor.