Core Viewpoint - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the addition of the Chinese Yuan (RMB) as a settlement currency in its clearing house, marking a significant step forward for RMB internationalization [1][2]. Group 1: RMB as a Settlement Currency - The RMB settlement will be available starting December 2025, following a trial run, providing significant benefits to airlines operating in China by reducing exchange rate risks and simplifying local supplier access [2]. - China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines will be the first to pilot the RMB settlement in November 2025 [4]. - The introduction of RMB settlement is seen as a positive development for the Chinese aviation industry, facilitating faster settlements and lowering costs associated with multiple currency exchanges [4][7]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, airline stocks experienced a notable increase, with Southern Airlines and China National Aviation rising nearly 2%, and Huaxia Airlines increasing over 5% [5]. - The aviation index showed a slight increase of 0.63%, reflecting positive market sentiment towards the new RMB settlement option [6]. Group 3: IATA Clearing House Operations - The IATA Clearing House currently supports seven currencies and provides efficient settlement services for 581 airlines and related enterprises, with a projected settlement amount of $63.8 billion in 2024, including 33 airlines operating in China [6]. - IATA's senior vice president emphasized that the addition of RMB settlement is a crucial step in meeting the demand for cost-effective financial services from member airlines [7]. Group 4: RMB Internationalization - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) highlighted the steady rise of the RMB's international status, noting it is now the largest settlement currency for China's foreign trade and the second-largest trade financing currency globally [8]. - The PBOC has signed 32 effective swap agreements with central banks from various countries, covering major economies across six continents, amounting to approximately 4.5 trillion RMB [8]. - Future plans include building a self-controlled cross-border payment system for RMB and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border RMB clearing services [9].
人民币,大消息!