The International Monetary Fund predicts a world economic growth of 3.9 percent in 2018 and 2019. It says the engine of rapid expansion continues to be the Asia-Pacific region. However, there remains to be concern when it comes to trade tensions between China and the US, and its possible impact. CGTN's Daniel Ryntjes has more. 

The IMF has delivered an upbeat assessment on prospects for the Asia-Pacific, forecasting growth of 5.6 percent for this year and next.

CHANGYONG RHEE, DIRECTOR, ASIA AND PACIFIC DEPARTMENT, IMF "The economic outlook for Asia-Pacific remains strong and the region continues to be the main growth engine of the global economy."

It's being driven by solid growth in China, India and Japan. But the Fund is warning that the region's exposure to global trade puts it at risk if the US and China aren't able to resolve their trade differences.

CHANGYONG RHEE, DIRECTOR, ASIA AND PACIFIC DEPARTMENT, IMF"Geopolitical tension could have serious repercussions on financial markets and on the real economy."

Globally public and private debt levels have risen to 225%, or $164 trillion in 2016. The IMF has singled out China's debt growth as a potential risk that is now being effectively addressed.

MARKUS RODLAUER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ASIA AND PACIFIC DEPARTMENT, IMF"These reforms are underway. They cannot be done in one or two years. They require a sustained long-term effort to address these risks. But overall we are quite optimistic that the authorities will again find a way through these challenges."

The longer term risks identified by the IMF are related to slowing productivity, the automation of many jobs and the idea that Asia becomes old before it becomes rich.

DANIEL RYNTJES WASHINGTON "But the IMF says Asia is taking advantage of the opportunity to use developments in the digital economy to broaden opportunities and financial inclusion. And turning to Latin America, the IMF sees growth rate around 2 percent, that has been weighted down somewhat by the crisis in Venezuela but boosted by the strong performance of Brazil which is seeing the growth rate above 2 percent. Daniel Ryntjes, CGTN, Washington."