Οικονομική κρίση και γεωστρατηγικές

'Could the RMB Displace the Dollar and Euro?'

31 May 2012, 17:00 - 18:30

Hotel Thon, Rue de la Loi 75, 1040 Brussels (Belgium III Room)

The rise of any great power depends on its economic and financial strength. For more than half a century the world’s top currency has been the dollar, a reflection of America’s economic power. In the past decade the introduction of the euro has challenged the dollar’s pre-eminence and accounts for about a third of global foreign currency reserves. But the recent financial crisis that hit the US and then Europe has cast doubt on the future of the dollar and especially the euro.

China’s spectacular economic rise has led to speculation that the renminbi (RMB) could displace both the dollar and euro at some point. China already accounts for 10% of global GDP, 9% of world trade and about 25% of global growth. Is it inevitable that this economic clout will result in increased financial muscle? Instead of complaints about an undervalued RMB could we hear complaints about the dominance of the renminbi in the future?

Some argue that the RMB could displace the dollar and euro within a decade. Others suggest that this might take decades if at all. What unites experts is the many changes, political as well as economic, that China would have to make to develop the RMB as a major reserve currency. China’s financial system is still under tight government control – one reason the EU refuses to grant China market economy status (MES). The RMB is not freely convertible and Chinese capital markets, despite their huge dollar holdings, lack the depth to provide the liquidity critical to make a currency attractive to hold and trade.

There are signs, however, that Beijing is ready to consider the internationalisation of the RMB as it would result in considerable prestige for China. Hong Kong is already being used as a base for the experiment. The internationalisation of the RMB would help China exit from the decades-old and controversial growth strategy based on keeping the currency undervalued and the economy closed to foreign capital. But such a path would have an impact on the domestic reform agenda far beyond the financial field.

This timely event with a panel of leading experts will discuss the implications of the internationalisation of the RMB.

EU Asia Centre

Madariaga – College of Europe Foundation

Belgium-Hong Kong Society