The offshore yuan edged higher to above 6.81 per USD, hitting its highest in more than three years as stronger-than-expected growth in China’s economy boosted sentiment. The world’s second-largest economy grew 0.5% in the first quarter from a year ago, accelerating from the 4.5% gain in the prior quarter and beating forecasts. However, signs of weakness started to emerge as the war in Iran disrupted global supply chains. March activity data showed a mixed backdrop, with industrial output rising 5.7% but slowing from earlier in the year, while retail sales increased 1.7%, missing expectations and easing from the previous period. This followed recent trade data, which highlighted a severe cooling in China’s export growth, indicating that the ongoing Middle East war may be dragging down global demand. Meantime, the US and Iran are considering extending their two-week ceasefire to allow more time for talks, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under a dual blockade.

The USD/CNY exchange rate fell to 6.8155 on April 17, 2026, down 0.09% from the previous session. Over the past month, the Chinese Yuan has strengthened 1.25%, and is up by 6.71% over the last 12 months. Historically, the USDCNY reached an all time high of 8.73 in January of 1994. Chinese Yuan - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 18 of 2026.

The USD/CNY exchange rate fell to 6.8155 on April 17, 2026, down 0.09% from the previous session. Over the past month, the Chinese Yuan has strengthened 1.25%, and is up by 6.71% over the last 12 months. The Chinese Yuan is expected to trade at 6.81 by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 6.75 in 12 months time.



Crosses Price Day Year Date
USDCNY 6.8164 -0.0065 -0.09% -6.69% Apr/17
EURCNY 8.0190 -0.0184 -0.23% -3.66% Apr/17
GBPCNY 9.2135 -0.0157 -0.17% -5.13% Apr/17
AUDCNY 4.8968 0.0106 0.22% 5.16% Apr/17
NZDCNY 4.0058 -0.0143 -0.35% -7.60% Apr/17
CNYJPY 23.2714 -0.0574 -0.25% 19.58% Apr/17
CNYARS 200.2571 1.4841 0.75% 28.56% Apr/17
CNYBRL 0.7306 -0.0010 -0.14% -8.15% Apr/17
CNYCAD 0.2008 -0.00004 -0.02% 5.97% Apr/17
CNYCHF 0.1147 -0.0002 -0.19% 2.48% Apr/17
CNYDKK 0.9319 0.0021 0.23% 3.91% Apr/17
CNYHKD 1.1490 0.0022 0.19% 8.14% Apr/17
CNYINR 13.5892 -0.0492 -0.36% 16.21% Apr/17
CNYKRW 215.1144 -1.7403 -0.80% 10.79% Apr/17
CNYMXN 2.5397 0.0097 0.38% -5.94% Apr/17
CNYRUB 11.1251 -0.0666 -0.60% -1.01% Apr/17
CNYSGD 0.1861 -0.0005 -0.28% 3.62% Apr/17
CNYZAR 2.3937 -0.0111 -0.46% -7.03% Apr/17
 Currencies
 CNY...
 ...CNY



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
China Inflation Rate 1.00 1.30 percent Mar 2026
United States Inflation Rate 3.30 2.40 percent Mar 2026
China Loan Prime Rate 3.00 3.00 percent Mar 2026
United States Fed Funds Interest Rate 3.75 3.75 percent Mar 2026
United States Unemployment Rate 4.30 4.40 percent Mar 2026
China Unemployment Rate 5.40 5.30 percent Mar 2026

Chinese Yuan
The USDCNY exchange rate is a reference rate not used in actual currency trading. When investors or entities want to exchange dollars for the Chinese currency, they do so using the USDCNH exchange rate set in Hong Kong. The People's Bank of China sets the yuan's mid-point rate and the onshore yuan (USDCNY) is allowed to trade 2% higher or lower than the PBoC’s central reference rate. The offshore yuan (USDCNH) which trades outside the mainland is not controlled. The USDCNY and the USDCNH are not very different and usually trade less than a few cents apart. China's Foreign Exchange Trade System published a new yuan index, on December 11th, 2015 including 13 currencies and extended it on January 1st 2017 to 24. The CFETS RMB Index measures the value of yuan against a basket of 24 major currencies, with weights based on international trade and has an end-2014 base year. The USD accounts for the largest share (22.4 percent), followed by the euro (accounting for 16.3 percent) and the yen (11.5 percent). The index also includes the currencies of Hong Kong, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada, Malaysia, Russia, Thailand, South Africa, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Turkey and Mexico. .
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6.82 6.82 8.73 1.53 1981 - 2026 Daily

News Stream
Offshore Yuan Hits Over 3-Year High
The offshore yuan edged higher to above 6.81 per USD, hitting its highest in more than three years as stronger-than-expected growth in China’s economy boosted sentiment. The world’s second-largest economy grew 0.5% in the first quarter from a year ago, accelerating from the 4.5% gain in the prior quarter and beating forecasts. However, signs of weakness started to emerge as the war in Iran disrupted global supply chains. March activity data showed a mixed backdrop, with industrial output rising 5.7% but slowing from earlier in the year, while retail sales increased 1.7%, missing expectations and easing from the previous period. This followed recent trade data, which highlighted a severe cooling in China’s export growth, indicating that the ongoing Middle East war may be dragging down global demand. Meantime, the US and Iran are considering extending their two-week ceasefire to allow more time for talks, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under a dual blockade.
2026-04-16
Offshore Yuan Snaps 8-Session Rally
The offshore yuan weakened to around 6.81 per dollar on Wednesday, ending an eight-session winning streak and pulling back from a near three-year high as market sentiment turned subdued amid weaker-than-expected trade figures. China’s exports slowed to a five-month low, rising only 2.5% year-on-year to USD 321.03 billion, indicating softer demand for yuan to settle Chinese trade transactions. Meanwhile, imports surged 27.8% to USD 269.90 billion, marking the fastest pace of growth since November 2021. Despite the mixed trade picture, the Chinese economy is expected to grow by 4.8% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 despite the ongoing Middle East war, marking a modest rebound from 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, which was the slowest pace since the post-pandemic reopening in 2022. The prolonged Middle East conflict has had only a limited impact on China, supported by years of efforts to strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to external shocks.
2026-04-15
Offshore Yuan Hovers Near 3-Year High
The offshore yuan traded around 6.81 per dollar, hovering near its strongest level since March 2023, supported by improved sentiment following renewed diplomatic signals between the US and Iran. Trump said Tehran had reached out for a deal, while Iran’s President Pezeshkian expressed willingness to continue talks if aligned with international law. The Middle East war has revived “petroyuan” talk promoted by Xi Jinping as an alternative to the dollar, with the currency gaining traction in energy trade as Iran accepts yuan for oil and favors its use in Hormuz shipping. Domestically, export growth slowed to a five-month low of 2.5% year-on-year, reaching USD 321.03 billion. Meanwhile, imports surged 27.8% to USD 269.90 billion, the fastest pace of growth since November 2021. As a result, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to a more than one-year low of USD 51.13 billion in March 2026, from USD 101.93 billion a year earlier and well below expectations of USD 112 billion.
2026-04-14