Turning to China's economy. Fresh data shows a surplus in the balance of China's foreign currency payments and receipts for the first half of 2018. Experts say that reverses a big deficit trend.

For years, China's foreign currency payment and receipt balances have turned in gaping losses. But that trend is reversing here in 2018. Receipts of foreign currency reached 928.2 billion US dollars for the first half of the year, while payments accounted for 914.4 billion. That's a surplus of 13.8 billion US dollars. Comparatively, 2017's first half balance showed a 93.8-billion-US-dollar deficit.

WANG CHUNYING, DIRECTOR GENERAL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DEPARTMENT STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE "The surplus defrays prior deficits and we hope this positive trend continues. Meanwhile, China's foreign currency reserve dropped, compared with the beginning of 2018. This is mainly because of exchange rate fluctuation."

There is a deficit in terms of forward settlement. In the first half of 2018, Chinese banks' forward settlement contracts grew by 91% year on year, while forward sales increased by 163%. That resulted in a 24.8 billion US dollar shortfall. The good news - secondquarter deficit was narrower than in quarter one.

WANG CHUNYING, DIRECTOR GENERAL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DEPARTMENT STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE "In terms of Chinese banks' foreign currency forwards, the deficit in Q2 narrowed by 60% from that of Q1."

However, there is a lot of uncertainty in global business because of unilateralism and protectionism. Some countries may be prompted to come up with measures to keep their currency reserves at home. Director Wang expresses confidence in China's financial sector.

WANG CHUNYING, DIRECTOR GENERAL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DEPARTMENT STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE "Financial risks are still controllable in general. China has an abundant foreign currency reserve, and enough room to maneuver. So I think we are capable, confident, and well equipped to face any challenge."

China's current account does show a slight deficit in the first quarter. Analysts point out that it's a result of rising Chinese demand for imported goods and overseas traveling and studying. So China's current account is in a reasonable range and a wide deficit is unlikely in the long run.