China Has Been Trying for a While to Make the Yuan a Global Currency
Presented by:
Dr. David K. Ewen
Did you know that the Chinese economy holds the coveted position of being the second-largest in the world? While this is an impressive feat, its currency, the yuan, has yet to reach the coveted status of a major global currency. However, recent geopolitical developments, particularly the war in Ukraine, could change this narrative.
China has long been working towards establishing the yuan as a global currency, and it has implemented various measures to facilitate this goal. The most notable of these initiatives include the launch of the Cross-Border Interbank Payments System (CIPS) and the introduction of yuan-denominated crude oil futures contracts.
Despite these efforts, the trading volume of the yuan still remains less than a tenth of the U.S. dollar, and it is involved in only a small fraction of global payments. Nevertheless, the conflict in Ukraine has led several countries to reconsider their reliance on the U.S. dollar and explore alternative currencies. The yuan has emerged as one such alternative and is gradually gaining popularity among these nations.
Take Russia, for example, which has begun accepting payments in yuan for coal and gas, while simultaneously increasing its holdings of yuan in foreign currency reserves. Similarly, Bangladesh has opted to pay Russia in yuan for the construction of a nuclear power station, and France is now accepting yuan as payment for liquefied natural gas acquired from China's state-owned oil company.
The war in Ukraine has inadvertently accelerated the yuan's ascent as countries seek more diverse currency options to mitigate the risks associated with relying solely on the U.S. dollar. This realization has prompted certain nations to actively reduce their dependence on the dollar, prompting them to explore alternative currencies such as the yuan.
China, recognizing this opportunity, has been actively implementing measures to internationalize the yuan. By promoting the use of the CIPS system and introducing yuan-denominated commodities futures contracts, China is facilitating the yuan's integration into the global financial system. The war in Ukraine has inadvertently contributed to the yuan's rise as a global currency, offering China a potential window to further its ambitions.
So basically, the war in Ukraine has inadvertently given the yuan a significant boost towards becoming a major global currency. Concerns over the dominance of the U.S. dollar, coupled with China's persistent efforts to promote the yuan's internationalization, have created an environment where alternative currencies like the yuan are gaining traction. The yuan is progressively moving closer to its aspirations of becoming a major global currency, thanks to recent geopolitical developments.
Presented by: Dr. David K Ewen

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