Yuan dip is as expected

The yuan dipped last week amid an expected appreciation slow-down.



It ended at 6.8189 against the dollar on Friday, down from a week earlier's 6.8169, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.



The central parity rate of the yuan was above 6.82 last week, indicating the People's Bank of China's decision for slower yuan growth.



Traders said they expected the central government may slow the appreciation pace to cushion a possible slow-down in trade surplus and the economy in the second half of this year.



China's economy expanded 10.4 percent in the first half, down from 2007's 11.9 percent.



Fighting inflation is one of the central government's top priorities in this year's agenda.