The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 15 pips to 6.865 against the U.S. dollar Thursday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.
Chinese yuan weakens to 6.865 against USD Thursday
A Japanese civil group attended a meeting with representatives of Japan's Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo on Wednesday morning to demand the Japanese government withdraw the Cabinet's revision concerning lifting the ban on lethal arms exports.
Concerns have raised after the Japanese government officially revised "the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines on Tuesday, a move which allows the overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities.
The revision scraps rules that limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five non-combat categories, marking a shift in defense policy for a country that has touted itself as a "peace-loving nation" under its war-renouncing Constitution since its defeat in World War II.
During the meeting on Wednesday morning, several representatives of the civil group said that the government's move to lift the ban on lethal arms exports runs counter to its self-proclaimed "dedication to peace," with attendees voicing strong opposition to the decision.
"Being 'a peace-loving nation' has been a major policy that Japan has adhered to under the framework of its constitution since the end of World War II, based on reflection. But now, by lifting the ban on lethal arms exports, Japan is selling lethal weapons abroad, potentially even to countries at risk of war, and doing so for profit nonetheless. This is not in the interests of world peace. It is fueling war. I strongly question and protest the current Japanese government's move," said a representative of the civil group.
"I think that being 'a peace-loving nation' is the most important thing of all. I do not wish to see weapons exported, nor do I want anyone to lose their lives as a result," said another group member.
"I'm absolutely opposed to this. I do not want to be involved in war. Japan has a history of aggression, especially against China. Every year around this time, from late April to May, people come to the Yokohama citizen's center to make the public more aware about what Japan did in the past. Citizens are making these efforts, yet the government is what it is today. We absolutely do not want war - no matter what. And we do not want lethal arms exports either," said another representative.
Japanese civil body meets with gov't representatives to voice opposition to arms export move
