Chongqing has increased its capabilities for foreign exchange management in the first half of 2014. An official from the Bank of China Chongqing Office said in a press briefing on Wednesday morning, foreign settlements by banks hit more than 54 billion US dollars.

"In the first half of the year, excluding such factors as the exchange rate, foreign settlement by banks grew by six percent year on year. Sales were up by 0.4 percent, with a 30 percent increase in surplus. Foreign-related income through banks grew by 15 percent year on year. Payments were up by 20 percent, with a 31 percent decrease in surplus," said the official.