China
China cuts reserve ratio again
People’s Bank of China knocks 50bp off the reserve requirement for the country’s largest banks; policy to remain “prudent” says central bank
Central bankers attend Financial Action Task Force meeting
Central bankers from many of the 136 member countries of FATF share thoughts on combating money laundering
China prepares for an ‘arduous’ year
Task of maintaining financial stability will be ‘arduous’ in 2012, says People’s Bank of China deputy governor; focus will be on risks from regional banks and non-banking institutions
EU vows fresh sanctions against Syrian central bank
European Union due to impose freeze on Central Bank of Syria's assets as part of efforts to strengthen sanctions against the Syrian government
Malaysia and China extend currency swap arrangement
People's Bank of China and Bank Negara Malaysia renew and expand currency swap arrangement, designed to facilitate greater bilateral trade and investment
Renminbi restrictions pose obstacle to internationalisation of currency, says BoJ’s Nishimura
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kiyohiko Nishimura says renminbi internationalisation is ‘implausible’ without significant capital-flow deregulation
RBA surprises markets with rate hold
Reserve Bank of Australia policy board leaves cash rate unchanged despite market expectation of 25-basis point cut in rates due to weak external outlook
Central bankers gather in Davos for World Economic Forum
Central banking is a hot topic at this year's World Economic Forum; attendees of the event discuss issues in Russia, Poland, China and more
IMF fears eurozone crisis will stall global recovery
World Economic Outlook slashes growth projections for 2012 as downside risks to eurozone economy intensify; IMF warns spill-over effects could slow economic activity globally
Chinese government and central bank identify targets for progress
People’s Bank of China publishes outcome of government planning meeting; document reveals aims for variety of areas including monetary policy and systemic risk management
Central Bank Directory highlights rise in female central bank governors
Four new female governors takes worldwide total to 12; Central Bank Directory also notes 4.1% increase in central bank staff in European Union
Bank of Finland paper investigates China’s evolving reserve requirements
Bank of Finland discussion paper charts the changing role of reserve requirements as a policy tool in Asia's biggest economy
Renminbi to be reserve currency in less than five years: CB.com poll
A poll of CentralBanking.com readers finds most believe the Chinese currency will account for more than 5% of global reserves in less than five years
IMF and China make joint call for stronger financial stability assessments
People’s Bank of China and International Monetary Fund hold joint symposium in Shanghai; call for better financial stability assessments in Asia and worldwide
Chinese labour costs contributed to US job losses: Fed paper
Federal Reserve study says decline in US manufacturing employment was largely attributable to relatively low investment and slow growth in the US, rather than China's competitive labour market
Thailand and China ease monetary policy
Thailand cuts benchmark rate and China lowers reserve ratio as eurozone crisis impact is felt in Asia; Thailand also keen to combat effects of devastating floods
China central bank official nominated to join private bank’s board
Wang Hongzhang tipped to become chairman of the China Construction Bank Corporation after unanimous nomination to join board of directors; will leave People’s Bank of China after a long career there
China and Hong Kong double currency swap agreement
Hong Kong and China double currency swap arrangement; Hong Kong pushes to remain number one offshore renminbi business centre while China proceeds with internationalisation of renminbi
Industry praises expansion of South Korea’s currency swap arrangements
Senior executives of large enterprises praise Bank of Korea for expanding currency swaplines with Japan and China; industry concerned about slowdown caused by eurozone crisis
BIS paper finds tightening bias in reserve requirements
Bank for International Settlements study says reserve requirements impose tax burden on Chinese banks, which is passed on to depositors and SMEs
IMF calls on China to overhaul its financial system
Fund review says China’s real estate sector faces a steady build-up in vulnerabilities; believes reforms to the country’s financial system are crucial to stability in the region
Hong Kong: where next?
Can the symbiotic relationship between Hong Kong and the renminbi continue? Chen Chao looks at the potential for growth – and competition.
Beijing’s second thought
Hui Feng examines the political calculus behind increasing international flows of China’s currency.