Settling in Yuan, Unsettling Forex Reserves

China added US$ 197.3 billion to its foreign exchange reserves in the first quarter – the second-biggest quarterly boost ever for the cash pile, which had grown at a record pace between October and December 31.

At the same time, the nation's international balance of trade slipped into negative territory as China posted a quarterly US$ 1.02 billion trade deficit, according to the government's customs agency.