Fixed Exchange Rate Regime Versus Capital Control
The belief that the fixed exchange rate regime brings with it stability is only partly true, since speculative attacks tend to target currencies with fixed exchange rate regimes, and in fact, the stability of the economic system is maintained mainly through capital control. A fixed exchange rate regime should be viewed as a tool in capital control.
For instance, China has allowed free exchange for current account transactions since December 1, 1996. Of more than 40 categories of capital account, about 20 of them are convertible. These convertible accounts are mainly related to foreign direct investment. Because of capital control, even the renminbi is not under the managed floating exchange rate regime, but free to float, and so it is somewhat unnecessary for foreigners to purchase renminbi.
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