The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) has recently conducted consecutive seven-day reverse repo operations of relatively small sizes. The "record-low" scale has drawn market attention, with some investors concerned about whether the monetary policy stance is shifting toward tightening.The Financial Times, a newspaper supervised by the PBOC, published an article explaining that, in light of current conditions in the interbank market and multiple supporting factors, the recent "record-low" operations do not signal liquidity tightening. Instead, they reflect a natural balance between market funding supply and demand and represent concrete measures by the PBOC to fine-tune regulation and optimize the liquidity injection structure. The ample liquidity conditions in the interbank market remain unchanged.Related NewsLuckin Coffee (LKNCY.US) to Launch Bottled Ready-to-Drink Coffee in Late Apr Priced at RMB6-7, Lower Than StarbucksThe article noted that the core reason for the "record-low" operations is a significant decline in market institutions demand for PBOC funds, rather than any proactive liquidity tightening by the central bank. At the end of March, the PBOC stepped up liquidity injections to safeguard cross-quarter funding conditions. Coupled with concentrated fiscal spending at quarter-end, the banking systems liquidity turned accommodative in early April. More importantly, the PBOCs statement specifically included the wording "fully meeting the needs of primary dealers," clearly conveying that the reduced operation size was not a deliberate contraction. The moderately accommodative monetary policy stance remains unchanged. (ta/)
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