RMB Exchange Market Pressure and Central Bank Exchange Market Intervention

The present paper uses the model-dependent and the modeL independent approach to measure the RMB exchange market pressure （EMP） and the central bank＇s intervention using monthly data from January 1999 to June 2008. It is determined that the RMB has been under great appreciation pressure over the past decade. However, the pressure has been weakening since 2005. The two approaches provide significantly different results in terms of the estimated RMB EMP indices and the estimated central bank＇s interventions. The differences may lead to different predietions of potential currency crises. According to the estimation of the RMB EMP, and based on the model-independent approach, the paper shows that China has been under threat of an appreciation currency crisis since 2008. Therefore, China should adopt a moreflexible exchange rate regime to prevent a potential crisis.     

Pricing to Market： Chinese Export Pricing to the USA after the Peg

In July 2005, the Chinese Government unpegged the RMB from the US dollar. As the RMB has followed a remarkably predictable appreciation over time, I examine the price of Chinese exports to the USA after unpegging the exchange rate. Results suggest that the Chinese industries with greater import market share were able to raise their prices after the removal of the pegged exchange rate regime; however, over time there is a significant deflationary trend. Chinese export prices tended to decrease under an unanticipated RMB appreciation; this effect was more pronounced for industries with more pricing flexibility. This suggests that Chinese exporters are consistently ＂pricing to market＂ and thus creating a significant foreign exchange policy implication. Specifically, a more flexible exchange rate regime will likely have little impact on the prices of Chinese exports to the USA but might increase the profit volatility of Chinese firms.     

RMB Internationalization and Its Implications for Financial and Monetary Cooperation in East Asia

This paper emphasizes the importance of the denomination of financial assets rather than trade invoicing as a long-term determinant of an international currency. China needs to liberalize and open its financial system and make the RMB fully convertible, and to adopt a moreflexible exchange rate system to speed up its currency internationalization, for which China could follow either a global or regional approach. The global approach is a riskier and more unpredictable strategy because it would demand a scope and timeframe of financial liberalization that is likely to be beyond China＇s institutional capacity over the coming decade. There are two options that could be taken in following the regional approach. One is creating an ASEAN＋ New 3 （the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan） RMB bloc and the other is liberalizing China＇s financial industries and internationalizing the RMB by playing a leading role in East Asia＇s economic integration within the framework of ASEAN＋ 3, This paper concludes that the latter is a more realistic and effective approach for China.     

What Exchange Rate Regime Should China Follow

Exchange rate policy is one of the most important macroeconomic policy challenges for developing countries such as China. Should China continue to maintain a fixed exchange rate of the Chinese currency the Renminbi （RMB）, or should the exchange rate become more flexible？ The author argues that China should not apply extreme forms of fixed or floating exchange rare regimes, but should consider a crawling band intermediate exchange regime.     

Retrospect of the Chinese Exchange Rate Regime after Reform： Stylized Facts during the Period from 2005 to 2010

In the present paper, we estimate the de facto RMB exchange rate regime, the currency basket, the floating band and the foreign exchange market pressure before and after the reform of the Chinese exchange rate regime in 2005. We find the following stylized facts： the value of the RAIB became stable after the reform; the weight of the US dollar remained high in the basket, while other currencies remained statistically significant; and the floating band gradually increased to lO percent during 2005-2008, and then greatly narrowed from the late summer of 2008 under the assumption of a yearly resetting interval. We find that the foreign exchange market pressure increased from 2005 to 2008. A possible reason is that the weight of the US dollar in the basket was slightly lower than the share of the US dollar in total transactions on the Chinese foreign exchange market. Therefore, it is reasonable for China to adopt a dollar peg exchange rate regime.     

中国外汇市场的问题与对策

An important task in the domain of Chinas foreign exchange administration in the nearterm is to improve the so-called managed floating exchange rate regime1 by deepening themarket-oriented reform of the renminbi exchange rate formation mechanism, and to allow aflexible exchange rate to have a more important role in resource allocation and macroeconomicreadjustment. The exchange rate regime is closely related to the foreign exchange market.To a large degree, the choice of the exchange rate regi…     

RMB Exchange Rate Regime：Suggestions on Further Reform and Exit Strategy

Since 2000, the focus of the study of the RMB ex change rate has transferred from debate on whether it should appreciate or depreciate to the overall planning and the envisaged improvement of the RMB exchange rate regime.     

Dynamic Transition of Exchange Rate Regime in China

Thepaper considers the optimal transition path for China＇s exchange rate regime. How can China successfully make the shift from the current dollar peg regime to a more desirable regime, whether a basket peg or a floating regime？ To answer this question, we develop a dynamic small open economy general equilibrium model. We construct four transition policies based on a basket peg or a floating regime and compare the welfare gains of these policies relative to maintaining the dollar peg regime. Two main results are derived from the quantitative analysis using Chinese data from 1999Q1 to 2010Q4. First, following a gradual adjustment to a basket peg regime is the most appropriate path for China to take, with minimal welfare losses associated with the shift in the exchange rate regime. Second, a sudden shift to the basket peg is the second best solution, and is superior to a sudden shift to floating because the monetary authority can efficiently determine optimal weights to attach to currencies in the basket to achieve policy goals once they adopt a basket peg regime.     

What Causes China＇s High Inflation？ A Threshold Structural Vector Autoregression Analysis

China＇s astonishing economic growth implies a necessity to understand its inflation. The present paper employs threshold nonrecursive structural vector autoregression analysis to explore the asymmetric effects of macro-variables on inflation in low and high inflation regimes. The empirical evidence demonstrates, first, that the reactions of inflation to various shocks are inflation-regime-dependent and asymmetric. Second, monetary policy influences China ＂s high inflation and adjusting the domestic interest rate in China may be an effective way to control inflation in a high inflation regime, but not in a low inflation regime. In a high inflation regime, a high inflation rate may cause the macro-policy authorities to increase the domestic interest rate, in an attempt to stabilize high inflation. Third, contrary to expectations, the world oil price is not a strong cost-push factor in a low inflation regime. Oil price increases may increase inflation in a high inflation regime, but there is no such obvious effect in a low inflation regime. Finally, China ＂s nominal effective exchange rate influences inflation in both low and high inflation regimes. A nominal effeetive exchange rate appreciation might be effective in controlling domestic inflation in both regimes.     

The Reform on Equilibrium Exchange Rate and Intervention Models of Renminbi＇s Exchange Rate

This paper establishes a theoretical analysis framework by integrating both the foreign exchange rate regime and the issue of financial globalization. It also deals with the research and analysis on how to prudently push forward the reform on renminbi （RMB）＇s exchange rate, adjust and institute the free convertibility of RMB, so as to meet the demands of further expansion of the Chinese economic and financial reform and opening-up, participation in the economic and financial globalization, integration into the global economy and the acceleration of the Chinese economy, against the backdrop of financial globalization.     

An analysis on the relationship between RMB interest rate and exchange rate based on BEER model

The internal money market and international money market will mix together when the finance market is open. Researching on the relationship between interest rate and RMB exchange rate is so meaningful. Based on the reality of market-based reform in our country, the paper employs the BEER model to analyze the interest rate＇s influence to the RMB equilibrium exchange rate, and inspects the realistic performance of the interest rate and exchange rate mechanism. Then it seeks some effective measures to promote the interactive development of the interest rate and exchange rate markets.     

Pass-through Effects of Global Commodity Prices on China＇s Inflation： An Empirical Investigation

The present paper uses a two-step approach to estimate the pass-through effects of changes in international commodity prices and the RMB exchange rate on domestic consumer price inflation in China. We first estimate the pass-through effects of international commodity prices on producer prices and then estimate the pass-through effects of producer price inflation on consumer price inflation. We find that a l O-percent increase in international commodity prices would lead to China＇ s producer prices increasing by 1.2 percent 3 months later, which in turn would increase China＇ s domestic inflation by 0.24 percent over the same period. However, a 10-percent appreciation of the RMB exchange rate against the US dollar would help to reduce increases in producer prices by 4.4 percent over the following 3 months, which in turn would lead to a 0. 89-percent decline in consumer price inflation over the same period. Our findings suggest that appreciation of the RMB in an environment of rising global commodity prices and a weak US dollar could be an effective instrument to help contain inflation in China.     

Exchange Rate Pass-through in China

During the second half of 2007 and early part of 2008 when there were intense inflationary pressures in China, RMB appreciation was advocated as a means of helping to curb inflation. The effectiveness of appreciation in controlling inflation depends on the impact of exchange rate movements on import and domestic prices. Our analysis finds fairly large and speedy exchange rate pass-through （ERPT） to import prices： 50 and 60percent for the short run and long run, respectively. However, the degree of ERPT decreases along the price chain from upstream to downstream prices. ERPT for consumer prices, the most downstream prices, is much milder and has substantial lags. A 10-percent rise in the nominal effective exchange rate will dampen consumer prices by 1.1 percent within a year, with very little pass-through in the first half year, and by 2.0percent over the long run. These findings, particularly the ERPT to consumer prices, suggest that RMB appreciation can help to reduce inflationary pressures over the longer term. However, it is unlikely to provide rapid relief to the current round of high inflation because of the long lags in ERPZ. The RMB needs to strengthen in effective terms to exert the desired dampening impact on prices.     

The Case for Stabilizing China＇s Exchange Rate： Setting the Stage for Fiscal Expansion

China＇s financial conundrum arises from two sources. First, its large saving （trade） surplus results in a currency mismatch because it is an immature creditor that cannot lend in its own currency. Instead, foreign currency claims （largely US dollars） build up within domestic financial institutions. Second, economists, both American and Chinese, mistakenly attribute the surpluses to an undervalued RMB. To placate the USA, the result was a gradual and predictable appreciation of the RMB against the dollar of 6 percent or more per year from July 2005 to July 2008. Together with the fall in US interest rates since mid-2007, this one- way bet in the foreign exchanges markets not only attracted hot money inflows but inhibited private capital outflows from financing China＇ s huge trade surplus. Therefore, the People＇s Bank of China had to intervene heavily to prevent the RMB from ratcheting upwards, and so became the country＇s sole international financial intermediary as official exchange reserves exploded Because of the currency mismatch, floating the RMB is neither feasible nor desirable, and a higher RMB would not reduce China＇ s trade surplus. Instead, monetary control and normal private-sector finance for the trade surplus require a return to a credibly fixed nominal RMB/USD rate similar to that which existed between 1995 and 2004. However, for any newly reset RMB/USD rate to be credible as a monetary anchor, foreign ＂China bashing＂ to get the RMB up must end. Then the stage would be set for fiscal expansion to both stimulate the economy and reduce its trade surplus.     

On China’s Exchange Rate Flexibility and Stability: The More Flexible against the U.S. Dollar, the More Stable in Effective Terms

I. IntroductionFor many years, the Chinese authorities have often expressed their appreciation for the merits of a flexible exchange rate regime for China and their willingness to make the exchange rate of the renminbi, China’s national currency, be determined by market forces. 1 In the same breath, however, they also stressed the importance of a “stable exchange rate” forChina, although it is not clear what the authorities meant by a “stable exchange rate.” (The People’s bank of Chin…     

Choosing an Appropriate Exchange Rate System for Developing Countries

The developing countries emerging market crisis during the second half of 1990s has had a major impact on changing the views of academicians, policy designers and developing countries＇ authorities with respect to exchange rate policies, particularly after the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. Although the Asian Financial Crisis has brought enormous damage to those hit countries, it left very precious lessons for the developing countries. Countries have to make a decision under uncertainty - they must choose an exchange-rate system and associated monetary policy without full information on the consequences of that choice. They must weigh the arguments and the costs of errors from adopting different exchange rates. They must evaluate the alleged benefits of each system and the opportunities for achieving those benefits through alternative, substitute means. They must also evaluate methods of reducing the potential costs of each system. It is true that no single exchange rate regime can. be prescribed as best for all, nor is the best choice of exchange rate regime always clears for all places in all times, even in light of their specific circumstances. There are no simple, universal answers. But under most circumstances and for most developing countries, one system of flexible exchange rate is better than others.     

Discrepancy between Registered and Actual Unemployment Rates in China： An Investigation inProvincial Capital Cities

The unemployment rate is a key indicator of labor market and economic performance. Based on a unique survey, we estimate the unemployment rate at 13.44percent in 30 provincial capital cities in China in 2007, which is well above the officially announced registered unemployment rate. The discrepancy results from inaccuracy in the calculation of registered unemployment. The discrepancy is not stably evolving across regions or over the years, making it difficult to recover the true unemployment rate using a simple multiplier approach. We further investigate the sources of the discrepancy by examining the determinants of unemployment registration. It is evident that participation in certain public activities, which would facilitate the spread of knowledge related to job-searching and unemployment registration, encouraged unemployment registration. Social attention to government antiunemployment programs also encouraged unemployment registration. These findings confirm the behavioral hypothesis that incomplete knowledge and limited attention can cause deviation from optimal choice. The policy implications of the findings of the study are discussed.     

Interest Rate Pass-through in a Dual-track System： Evidence from China

Using the Phillips-Loretan approach, this paper verifies the degree and speed of pass- through and rigidity of different interest rates in China, as well as the response of private loan interest rates to other interest rates during 2002-2012. The results indicate that the long-term pass-through from the interbank offered rates and deposit and loan interest rates to the treasury bond rate is incomplete, but that the long-term pass-through to private loan interest rates is overshooting. The long-term pass-through from the deposit and loan interest rates to the overnight interbank offered rate is incomplete, while that to the interbank offered rates of other maturities is complete. The short-term passthrough and adjustment speed of interest rates exhibit asymmetry. Therefore, before considering a full liberalization of interest rates, it is important to further enhance the competition of the financial system and the function of different interest rate systems, such as the interhank market and bond market.     

The economic uncertainty and private investment nexus in Iran： Application of the EGARCH model and the ARDL approach

This paper examines the impact of economic uncertainty on private investment in lran. In addition, the authors also examine the impact of other economic factors on the level of private investment. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag （ARDL） approach is applied to investigate the relationship of these variables. The data span is from 1975 to 2007. The results indicate that economic uncertainty has a significant negative effect on private investment. Public investment and the availability of financing have a significant positive effect on private investment, while the impact of output gap and the exchange rate is negative. Hence, government should aim at creating a stable macro-economic environment in order to makes private investment attractive.     

China＇s Exchange Rate and Financial Repression： The Conflicted Emergence of the RMB as an International Currency

Instability in the worm dollar standard, as most recently manifested in the US Federal Reserve＇s near-zero interest rate policy, has caused consternation in emerging markets with naturally higher interest rates. China has been provoked into speeding RMB ＂internationalization ＂; that is, opening up domestic financial markets to reduce its dependence on the US dollar for invoicing trade and making international payments. However, despite rapid percentage growth in offshore financial markets in RMB, the Chinese authorities are essentially trapped into maintaining exchange controls （reinforced by financial repression in domestic interest rates） to avoid an avalanche of foreign capital inflows that would threaten inflation and asset price bubbles by driving nominal interest rates on RMB assets down further. Because a floating （appreciating） exchange rate could attract even more hot money inflows, the People＇s Bank of China should focus on keeping the yuan/dollar rate stable so as to encourage naturally high wage increases to help balance China ＂s international competitiveness. However, further internationalization of the RMB, as with the proposed Shanghai pilot free trade zone, is best deferred until world interest rates rise to more normal levels.