(Yicai Global) Feb. 1 -- The central parity rate of the yuan against the greenback edged 56 basis points lower than that of the previous trading day, marking the first fall this week that the regulator has lowered it.

The China Foreign Exchange Trade System, the interbank trading and foreign exchange division of the People's Bank of China, set the yuan central parity rate at 6.7081 against the dollar, slightly lower than yesterday's 6.7025. 

The onshore spot exchange rate of the yuan against the dollar was 6.6995 at the close of night trading yesterday, while the offshore spot exchange rate was 6.7095 at the market close in New York.

In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by two percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

Despite concerns over a slowdown in economic growth, the yuan has seen an uptrend against the dollar since early November. In January alone, the yuan rose about 2.6 percent against the greenback on the onshore market.

The latest US Federal Reserve monetary policy adjustment is one important factor as well as the expectation that more global capital will flow into yuan-denominated assets as China opens up its financial market to foreign investors this year. Hopes are also high among investors that the China-US trade talks in Washington can help resolve the trade spat.