
The stance signals readiness for further easing, bolstering growth and credit while managing currency and systemic risks, crucial for China’s economic rebound and global markets.
The People’s Bank of China’s fourth‑quarter monetary policy report underscores a deliberate shift toward sustained accommodative measures. By labeling policy as "appropriately loose" and keeping liquidity abundant, the central bank signals that it can still deploy traditional levers—reserve‑requirement ratio cuts and interest‑rate reductions—if growth pressures intensify. This approach aligns with Beijing’s broader macro‑economic strategy to counteract structural imbalances, especially the persistent gap between supply and demand that has constrained domestic consumption.
A key pillar of the report is targeted support for priority sectors. The PBOC pledges to lower banks’ funding costs, thereby easing credit conditions for small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises, technology innovators, and other growth engines. By keeping overall financing costs low, the central bank aims to stimulate investment and consumer spending without inflating systemic risk. This nuanced credit‑support framework is designed to revive the real economy while avoiding the over‑leveraging that plagued earlier cycles.
Equally important is the reaffirmation of a flexible yuan exchange rate coupled with vigilant volatility monitoring. Maintaining currency stability helps anchor market expectations and protects export competitiveness, while macro‑prudential tools are being expanded to mitigate systemic threats. Together, these measures create a balanced policy mix that seeks to nurture a fragile recovery, sustain financial resilience, and preserve China’s role as a pivotal player in the global economy.
China’s central bank reiterated a loose policy stance, pledging ample liquidity and stronger support for domestic demand while guarding against financial and currency risks.
Summary:
PBOC pledges appropriately loose policy
Liquidity to remain ample
RRR and rate cuts remain options
Focus on domestic demand support
Yuan flexibility reaffirmed
China’s central bank struck a firmly supportive tone in its fourth-quarter monetary policy implementation report released Tuesday, pledging to maintain loose policy settings and step up financial support for domestic demand as the economy navigates persistent structural challenges.
The People’s Bank of China said it will continue to implement an “appropriately loose” monetary policy, keep liquidity ample and make flexible use of policy tools including reserve requirement ratio cuts and interest rate reductions. Officials also reiterated plans to strengthen policy-rate guidance and improve the interest-rate transmission framework.
While describing the economy as overall stable, the PBOC acknowledged ongoing headwinds, notably an imbalance between supply and demand. In response, the central bank said it would intensify financial support for priority areas such as expanding domestic demand, technological innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises, reinforcing Beijing’s broader push to stabilise growth.
The report also emphasised cost relief for the real economy, with the PBOC pledging to lower banks’ funding costs and keep overall financing costs at relatively low levels. Policymakers said these measures are aimed at improving credit availability while avoiding excessive financial stress.
On currency policy, the central bank reaffirmed its commitment to a flexible yuan exchange rate, while also signalling vigilance against excessive volatility. It said it would prevent exchange-rate overshooting risks and keep the currency basically stable, alongside stronger expectation guidance to anchor market sentiment.
Financial stability featured prominently in the report, with the PBOC vowing to expand its macro-prudential toolkit and resolutely safeguard against systemic financial risks. Officials said preserving the financial system’s resilience remains a key priority alongside growth support.
Taken together, the messaging reinforces expectations that Chinese policymakers remain prepared to ease further if needed, while attempting to balance growth support, currency stability and financial risk management in a still-fragile recovery environment.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.
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