China 'committed' to currency reform

China is committed to reforming its exchange rate policy, its foreign ministry said today, after senior US senators pressed for…

China is committed to reforming its exchange rate policy, its foreign ministry said today, after senior US senators pressed for Congress to get tough with China over "manipulating" its currency.

A group of US senators said yesterday it was vital for the United States to pass legislation to punish China if it fails to allow its currency to rise in value rather than manage its rate, giving it an unfair advantage in global trade.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing ahead of President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington that China hopes US lawmakers avoid harming the overall interests of Sino-US trade.

The foreign ministry has no say in decisions on China's currency policy.

Reuters