RMB Revaluation Will Serve China`s Self-Interest

Abstract

China has operated its exchange rate regime as a de-facto peg to the dollar since the devaluation of August 1994. Given the stunning growth in foreign exchange reserves in 2003, this paper argues that the optimal currency adjustment is a one-time maxi revaluation of roughly 15% versus the U.S. dollar to a new fixed rate but to a modified anchor, that is, a trade-weighted currency basket. Once the currency was repegged and the new reference basket was implemented, any additional moves, such as widening the trading band, could be phased during a transition period of some years, providing a safe and effective path to a more flexible exchange rate regime in the medium to long term.