China's central bank announced last Friday a flat reduction of 25 basis points of in banks' reserve requirements, as part of the anticipated pro-growth measures to stimulate the world´s second-largest economy. The slowing down of domestic consumption in the first half of the year, flared by the outbreaks in Shanghai, are expected to be stronger in the second half.
Chinese gold and foreign currency reserves, the world’s largest, rose more than expected last month, according to official data published on Monday. The nation’s foreign exchange reserves increased by US$23.62 billion to US$3.22 trillion in May against US$ 3.198 trillion recorded in April.
China's embassies to Suriname and Guyana accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of spreading rumors and smearing Beijing, after Washington's top diplomat criticized Chinese companies during a four-stop South America tour.
The central bank of Argentina announced it will renew a currency cooperation agreement with the People's Bank of China to swap US$ 18.2 billion worth of each other's currencies next week, El Economista reported on Friday.
China's top central banker said on Saturday that potential escalation of trade tensions and policy uncertainty were the major risk factors facing the world economy, and market forces were keeping China's Yuan at an appropriate level.
Chinese exports rose unexpectedly in July, beating expectations for a fall, as trade tensions with the US continued to simmer. Official figures showed exports rose 3.3% last month, compared to forecasts for a 2% drop. Imports fell 5.6% in July, less than the expected 8.3% decline.
Chinese shares traded higher on Tuesday morning after a fresh stimulus push from the central bank to boost liquidity. The mainland benchmark Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 2,696.96 points.
Chinese central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan has accused speculative forces of targeting the country's currency, the Yuan, and argued there was no reason for the Yuan to keep depreciating in value and that China would not let international speculators dominate market sentiment.
China's central bank cut interest rates and lowered the amount of reserves banks must hold for the second time in two months on Tuesday, ratcheting up support for a stuttering economy and a plunging stock market that has sent shockwaves around the globe.
Shares in London and elsewhere in Europe rebounded at the start of trading on Tuesday, despite another night of steep falls for the Chinese stock market. The FTSE 100 rose 1.6% to 5,994.11, while Germany's Dax and Paris Cac were both up about 1.4%. The gains came after Chinese stocks continued their run of big losses.