China says no new restrictions on forex trading

BEIJING -- China's foreign exchange regulator has dismissed reports of tightened controls over forex sales, saying no new restrictions have been adopted on currency exchange or cross-border payments.

Regulation is consistent with the past with no policy changes. All forex transactions are being conducted normally, according to a statement from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

However, the regulator has demanded banks examine the authenticity of transactions more closely and ensure their compliance with current rules, SAFE said.

The clarification followed media reports that SAFE had given "window guidance" to banks, instructing them to narrow an expanding deficit between forex sales and purchases amid concerns over capital outflow and the yuan weakens against the U.S. dollar.

The reports were inaccurate, SAFE said, while emphasizing the need for better monitoring of cross-border capital flows and vigilance against illegal forex trading.

Chinese banks saw a net forex sales of $69.6 billion in the third quarter, up from $49 billion in the second, but much lower than the $124.8 billion in the first.

The central parity rate of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar weakened to a six-year low on Friday, as expectations of an interest rate hike in the United States grew.