The purpose of the paper is to examine the behaviour of exchange rates in C
hina during the recent period of trade and exchange system reforms. A simpl
e theoretical model based on the monetary approach is developed to explain
the exchange rate in the parallel or black market, given the official and s
ubstantially controlled rate. The model is tested on quarterly data using t
he cointegration technique. error correction modeling and impulse response
analysis. The results confirm the main features of the model and have polic
y implications concerning the use of devaluation and monetary policy for st
imulating the economy, and the adoption of policies, which encourage black
market activities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. JEL
classification: F31.