Greater China

The People’s Bank of China stunned financial markets this week when it weakened the onshore RMB (CNY) fixing by nearly 2% — the largest single day depreciation ever.

Opinion is divided about whether this week's unexpected move by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) to devalue the renminbi marks a landmark for the country or reeks of desperation.

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) said on Thursday that it would allow qualified foreign entities to participate in the onshore foreign exchange market in a move that is aimed at helping encourage the convergence of the onshore and offshore renminbi FX rates. The development came in an already turbulent week for the RMB, which has seen a big devaluation as the PBoC changes its approach.

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HSBC has slashed its forecast for volumes of offshore renminbi bonds and certificate of deposits for the year, as attractive costs of onshore funding steal the limelight from dim sum issuance.

The sharp fall in the renminbi is expected to take a huge toll on offshore bonds in the currency, shutting down the pipeline at least for the rest of the month. But more worrying are the potential longer term consequences if the downward pressure spreads to other Asian EM currencies.

Asia’s equity markets endured a vicious sell-off after China unveiled a shock devaluation of the RMB this week. But bankers and fund managers were nonplussed, with many calling the turmoil an over-reaction. As composure returns to the market, investors are keen to put the episode behind them.

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Auto Finance Co has increased the size of its latest loan to Rmb1bn ($158m) from a launch size of Rmb800m, after 14 lenders came in during general syndication. The borrower’s strong market position helped whip up interest, said bankers.

Yingda International Leasing, a company owned equally by General Electric and China’s State Grid Corp, is raising a Rmb500m ($82m) three year borrowing. The deal comes with a greenshoe that allows the bookrunners to double its size to Rmb1bn.

China’s devaluation of its currency has halted private medium term note business in offshore renminbi, say dealers, after it led to a plunge in the renminbi/dollar swap rate.

Tuesday’s surprise decision by the People’s Bank of China to allow the renminbi to be more market-driven was an important and necessary step as the country attempts to move to a more open economy. The mistake has been to do it at a time when China is under stress from falling economic growth. But what the fallout has made abundantly clear is that the renminbi is already a global currency.