China attacks dollar's dominance - Financial Times

Financial Times reports China has launched its highest-profile criticism of the dominant role of the US dollar as a global reserve currency at a meeting of the world's biggest economies. Dai Bingguo, Chinese state counselor, raised the issue on Thursday when he joined the leaders of four other emerging economies for talks with the leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations -- including US President Barack Obama -- in L'Aquila. The remarks, in front of Mr Obama, caused concern among western leaders, some of whom fear that even discussion of long-term currency issues could unsettle markets and undercut economic recovery. Gordon Brown, Britain's prime minister, said he did not remember Mr Dai making the remarks. But he said the focus should be on moving the world out of recession. "We don't want to give the impression that big change is around the corner and the present arrangements will be destabilized," said Mr Brown. "We should have a better system for reserve currency issuance and regulation, so that we can maintain relative stability of major reserve currencies exchange rates and promote a diversified and rational international reserve currency system," said Mr Dai, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. While he did not name the dollar, Mr Dai was unequivocal in calling for the world to diversify the reserve currency system and aim at relatively stable exchange rates among leading currencies.

THT - None of this matters to precious metals as they keep diving.