The offshore yuan strengthened to around 7.04 per dollar, reaching a fresh fourteen-month high amid growing calls for a stronger currency to support economic rebalancing. The move comes as a rare public debate gains traction in China, with economists and former policymakers arguing the yuan remains too weak relative to fundamentals and that modest appreciation could help shift growth away from exports and toward domestic demand. While authorities continue to stress currency stability, softer recent data, highlighting fragile consumption, weak investment, and a deepening property downturn, has added pressure on policymakers and reinforced expectations for further policy support, alongside forecasts for gradual gains in the yuan over the year ahead. Elsewhere, a weaker US dollar added further support amid caution over upcoming key economic data delayed by the government shutdown.
