Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP5771
Authors: Maurice Obstfeld
Abstract: In the face of huge balance of payments surpluses and internal inflationary pressures, China has been in a classic conflict between internal and external balance under its dollar currency peg. Over the longer term, China?s large, modernizing, and diverse economy will need exchange rate flexibility and, eventually, convertibility with open capital markets. A feasible and attractive exit strategy from the essentially fixed RMB exchange rate would be a two-stage approach, consistent with the steps already taken since July 2005, but going beyond them. First, establish a limited trading band for the RMB relative to a basket of major trading partner currencies. Set the band so that it allows some initial revaluation of the RMB against the dollar, manage the basket rate within the band if necessary, and widen the band over time as domestic foreign exchange markets develop. Second, put on hold ad hoc measures of financial account liberalization. They will be less helpful for relieving exchange rate pressures once the RMB/basket rate is allowed to move flexibly within a band, and they are best postponed until domestic foreign exchange markets develop further, the exchange rate is fully flexible, and the domestic financial system has been strengthened and placed on a market-oriented basis.
Keywords: China; Balance of Payments; China Currency; Fixed Exchange Rate; Exit Strategy; Renminbi
JEL Codes: F32
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| fixed RMB exchange rate (F31) | internal inflationary pressures (E31) |
| transition to managed float regime (F31) | reduction in inflationary pressures (E31) |
| fixed RMB exchange rate (F31) | trade diversion (F14) |
| adjustable basket peg (Y90) | mitigation of trade diversion (F13) |