STORY: China's stock exchanges and central bank rushed to defend a falling yuan and stock markets on Monday (Jan 6).
They tried to soothe investors concerned about Donald Trump's return to the White House and Beijing's ability to revive the economy.
Trump's threats of big tariffs on Chinese imports have rattled the yuan.
It's also driven mainland bond yields down and got stocks off to a difficult start this year.
On Monday, China's yuan weakened to its lowest in 16 months.
The blue-chip stock index CSI 300 touched its weakest since the end of September.
Three sources also told Reuters China's stock exchanges asked large mutual funds to restrict their selling of stocks at the beginning of the year.
They said at least four large mutual funds received calls from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges recently.
They were asked to ensure they bought more stocks than they sold each day.
The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges said Sunday they recently met with foreign institutions.
They assured investors they would continue to open up China's capital markets.
One state-owned news outlet reported the People's Bank of China could issue more yuan bills in Hong Kong in January.
It's a sign authorities want to absorb currency to calm speculation.
The world's second-biggest economy has struggled over the past few years due to a property downturn and slowing income.
Exports were one of the few bright spots, but could face U.S. tariffs under a second Trump administration.
The yuan has routinely hit multi-month lows since Trump won the U.S. election.