China's Xi Reveals Plans for Yuan to Become 'Powerful' and Attain Reserve Currency Status

President Xi Wants to Establish a Strong Yuan

China seems ready to become a more active power in the currency field.

According to a commentary article published this Saturday on Qiushi, the Communist Party of China (CCP) journal, President Xi Jinping has started advocating for the establishment of a strong currency to become more relevant on the international stage.

Excerpts of a speech directed to top party officials in 2024 show that Xi considers China needs a “powerful currency” to be “widely used in international trade, investment and foreign exchange markets, and attain reserve currency status.”

Furthermore, Xi offered a roadmap to achieve this new goal, indicating that three elements would be key to reaching this new status: a powerful central bank, globally competitive financial institutions, and international financial centers capable of attracting global capital and exerting influence over global pricing.

Xi’s remarks come as the Trump administration has shown no concerns about the weakening of the U.S. dollar in international markets, indirectly supporting a weak dollar. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) recently allowed the yuan to strengthen below the 7 yuan per dollar mark, cautiously allowing the currency to strengthen as the dollar fell to maintain an equilibrium.

While analysts have repeatedly stated that the yuan is currently undervalued against the dollar, China has not fixed this so-called imbalance. Goldman Sachs estimated this imbalance at 25%, meaning that the yuan must appreciate 25% to reach its international “fair value.”

It is still uncertain if this slow appreciation of the yuan will continue in the short term, but it is clear that China, under Xi’s leadership, is moving to make the Chinese yuan a valid alternative to the U.S. dollar.

Read more: China Fixes Strong Yuan, Bets on Continued Weak‑Dollar Policies

FAQ

• What recent developments indicate China’s ambition in the currency market?
  President Xi Jinping is advocating for a strong Chinese currency to enhance China’s relevance in global trade and finance.

• What are the key elements identified by Xi for achieving reserve currency status?
  Xi outlined the need for a powerful central bank, globally competitive financial institutions, and international financial centers to attract global capital.

• How has the Trump administration’s approach affected the U.S. dollar?
  The Trump administration has shown a lack of concern about the weakening U.S. dollar, creating an environment that may benefit China’s currency goals.

• What is the current valuation status of the yuan compared to the dollar?
  Analysts suggest the yuan is undervalued against the dollar, with Goldman Sachs estimating it needs to appreciate by 25% to reach fair value.