SAFE Releases Preliminary Data of China's Balance of Payments Statement for the Year of 2009

The SAFE recently released preliminary data of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />China's Balance of Payments statement for the year of 2009. The current account and the capital and financial account posted a "twin surplus" in 2009, and international reserves maintained a growing momentum.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

In 2009, China's surplus under the current account totaled USD 284.1 billion, a decrease of 35% year on year. Specifically, according to the statistical coverage of the balance of payments, the surpluses under the trade in goods, income, and current transfers reached USD 249.3 billion, USD 28.7 billion, and USD 34.8 billion respectively, whereas the deficit in services amounted to USD 28.7 billion.

Meanwhile, China's surplus under the capital and financial account totaled USD 109.1 billion. In particular, the net inflows of direct investments amounted to USD 36.5 billion.

In 2009, the assets alteration of China's international reserves amounted to USD 393.2 billion.