China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange: Bank Foreign Exchange Settlements Totaled 10.79 Trillion Yuan in Jan-June 2026
Data from China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange reveals significant foreign exchange activity by banks in the first half of 2026. In June 2026 alone, banks settled 2.03 trillion RMB (approximately 297.8 billion USD) and sold 1.64 trillion RMB (approximately 241.2 billion USD). Cumulatively from January to June 2026, bank foreign exchange settlements reached 10.79 trillion RMB (approximately 1.57 trillion USD), while sales amounted to 8.92 trillion RMB (approximately 1.29 trillion USD).
Further details show that in June 2026, banks handled 6.10 trillion RMB (approximately 894.3 billion USD) in foreign-related income on behalf of clients and made payments of 5.84 trillion RMB (approximately 857.2 billion USD). Over the first six months of 2026, cumulative client-related foreign income for banks totaled 32.43 trillion RMB (approximately 4.71 trillion USD), with cumulative payments reaching 30.72 trillion RMB (approximately 4.46 trillion USD). These figures highlight the substantial flow of foreign currency through China's banking system during this period.
The reported foreign exchange data for China's banking sector in early 2026 indicates a robust level of cross-border financial transactions. The net inflow of foreign exchange, as reflected in the difference between settlements and sales, suggests continued demand for foreign currency within the domestic economy or ongoing capital flows. Analyzing these trends over time will be crucial for understanding shifts in China's balance of payments and its integration into the global financial system. Future economic policy decisions may be informed by the sustainability of these settlement volumes and their implications for currency stability and international trade dynamics.
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