China's Social Security Fund Chief Sees Cross-Border Settlements Rise

Hong Kong, Nov 27, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - China will continue to loosen its grip on financial markets, step by step, to make the mainland's currency, the renminbi, fully convertible, according to Dai Xianglong, Chairman of the National Council for Social Security Fund.

"It is impossible to set a timetable. We can only map out steps to take," he said, noting that "convertibility of the renminbi has improved a great deal." The former governor of the People's Bank of China said the first step for the currency would be to see exchange and interest rates "respond to the market."

Mr Dai said the next steps would be further development of the capital market, followed by more overseas branches for Chinese financial institutions, "to provide renminbi transaction services for the capital account." He said an additional step would be to keep a close eye on the capital-account balance.

Mr Dai praised Hong Kong's role as an offshore centre in cross-border settlements, noting that about 60-70 per cent of renminbi traded in the global market eventually returns to Hong Kong. In his 5 November interview with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), he also said that increasing renminbi deposits in Hong Kong "will not pose a threat to the Hong Kong dollar."

Watch the HKTDC video here: http://www.hktdc.com/info/webcast/v/en/pth/1X04BJKV/

Mr Dai will speak at the sixth Asian Financial Forum (AFF), organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the HKTDC. The next AFF will take place in Hong Kong, 14-15 January 2013.

AFF Website: http://www.asianfinancialforum.com
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About HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com . Follow us on Twitter @HKTDC.

Source: HKTDC

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