The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has recently disseminated the data on banks' foreign-related receipts and payments for customers for January 2020. SAFE Press Spokesperson and Chief Economist Wang Chunying answered media questions on foreign exchange receipts and payments for January 2020.

Q: Could you brief us on the situations of China’s foreign exchange receipts and payments in January 2020? What changes have occurred recently?

A: China’s foreign exchange receipts and payments remained generally stable and the supply and demand of the foreign exchange market maintained a basic equilibrium in January. The highlights are as follows: Firstly, the foreign-related receipts and payments of non-banking sectors remained in surplus in January, which hit USD 7.4 billion, indicating net inflows have been maintained since December 2019. Secondly, based on the preliminary data, banks’ foreign exchange settlement and sales represented a slight surplus in the month. Considering the forward foreign exchange settlement and sales, options and other supply and demand factors, the supply-demand of the foreign exchange market was in a basic equilibrium. Thirdly, foreign exchange reserves rose steadily. The balance of foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 3.1155 trillion at the end of January, up by USD 7.6 billion from the end of 2019. Fourthly, the cross-border capital flows via major channels were relatively stable, and foreign-related receipts and payments under trade in goods, direct investment and portfolio investment remained in surplus.

Since the beginning of February, despite the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the foreign exchange market has maintained stable operation, showing the market is becoming more mature and rational. After a short adjustment, the RMB exchange rate has continued to show slight two-way fluctuations with both ups and downs. The supply and demand of foreign exchange market maintains a basic equilibrium, the foreign-related receipts and payments of non-banking sectors remain stable, and the foreign-related transactions of market players including enterprises and individuals are rational and orderly, indicating that China’s foreign exchange market has become more mature, and can better absorb and adapt to the impact of relevant events.

Going forward, China’s foreign exchange market is expected to maintain stable operation, based on a solid foundation and favorable conditions. On the one hand, the impact of the epidemic will be short-lived and limited, while China’s economy is resilient, there’s ample room for macro-control policies, and the fundamentals sustaining sound and high-quality economic growth over the long term haven't changed, which will continue to bolster the stability of China’s foreign exchange market. On the other hand, China’s opening-up has been deepened, the domestic business environment has been improving, and the internationalization level of the capital market has been rising, which will continue to attract mid- and long-term investment.