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M6.7 earthquake hits India, one reportedly dead

Update Date：2016-1-4 11:28:25 Source：BeiJing Tannet Views：988

WASHINGTON -- China will seek to maintain the country's currency renminbi, or the yuan, relative stable to a basket of currencies in 2016 as investors adjust to the start of a new rate hike cycle in the United States, US experts said.

The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rates to a range of 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent on Dec 16 of 2015, the first rate hike in nearly a decade, marking the end of the central bank's extraordinary monetary easing measures in response to the recent global financial crisis and the beginning of a new era of a Fed tightening cycle.

While the Fed's initial rate hike was welcomed in the United States as the central bank is confidence about the underlying strength of the world's largest economy, it poses challenges for emerging market economies like China to balance currency stability with economic growth.

The divergence of monetary policies between the US and other major economies has driven investment flows into the US and pushed the GAUHATI, India - A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck northeast India and adjoining Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan in the early hours today.

Two persons have reportedly died in Manipur's capital, Imphal and around 30 are injured, according to New Delhi Television (NDTV).

There were reports of damage to a popular market in Imphal, the capital of Manipur state. The tremor left large cracks in several walls and a portion of the building collapsed, police said.

India's Meteorological Department said the epicenter of the quake was in Tamenglong region of Manipur state. It struck before dawn on Monday at a depth of 17 kilometers (about 10 miles) in the India-Myanmar border region. The U.S. Geological Survey said the depth was 55 kilometers (about 34 miles).

The epicenter of the earthquake was 35 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Imphal.

People panicked and rushed out of their homes in Gauhati, the capital of neighboring Assam state, as they felt massive shaking at least twice within 60 seconds.

In Imphal, residents said furniture was knocked over and books fell off shelves but no major damage has been reported so far.

"The ground swayed for almost a minute, jolting people awake in their homes," said one resident, Apem Arthur.

The area is dotted with small houses. There are few tall buildings in the region, she said.

The tremors were also felt in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state.

The article transsshipment from China Daily

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