In a bid to stabilize its currency and mitigate the effects of its recent depreciation, China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has announced a significant reduction in commercial banks’ foreign currency reserve ratio (RRR). This move is set to lower the RRR by 2 percentage points, bringing it down to 4% from its previous level of 6%. The adjustment is scheduled to take effect starting September 15, 2020.
The primary objective of this strategic reduction in the foreign currency RRR is to curb the depreciation of the Chinese yuan, also known as the renminbi (RMB). The announcement sent shockwaves through both domestic and international financial markets, leading to an immediate rebound in the value of the yuan.
In the domestic market, the yuan surged to a three-week high, reaching a level of 7.2360 yuan per US dollar, marking its strongest performance since August 11. This abrupt turnaround underscores the significance of the PBOC’s move and its potential impact on the currency’s trajectory.
The official statement from the PBOC outlined that the reduction in the foreign currency RRR aims to enhance the foreign currency liquidity and accessibility of various financial institutions operating within China. This strategic adjustment is expected to have a cascading effect on the interbank market, leading to a reduction in the cost of funding in US dollars. Consequently, this reduction is anticipated to contribute to the stabilization of the yuan’s value and help counter its recent depreciation trend.
Throughout the year, the yuan has faced challenges, emerging as one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies, with a depreciation of approximately 5% against the US dollar. This depreciation has been attributed to several factors, including the economic slowdown in China and the widening interest rate differential between China and the United States.
It’s noteworthy that the PBOC had previously taken similar measures to combat the depreciation of the yuan. In September 2022, the central bank implemented a 2% reduction in the foreign currency RRR for financial institutions, with the same objective of stemming the yuan’s depreciation.
As China takes these proactive steps to stabilize its currency, financial markets will closely monitor the impact of this latest move on the yuan’s performance and its broader implications for global economic dynamics. The reduction in the foreign currency RRR signals China’s commitment to maintaining a stable and competitive currency in a volatile international economic landscape.