While “exchange rate” is a neutral financial term globally, in China, 汇率 (huìlǜ) carries a significant weight tied to national economic policy and international relations. For decades, China's government strictly pegged the Renminbi (RMB) to the US dollar. Now, the 汇率 operates under a “managed float,” making it a constant topic of discussion in financial news and a key indicator of the country's economic health. Unlike in the West where exchange rates are primarily a concern for traders and tourists, in China, the stability of the 汇率 is often viewed as a reflection of national strength and government competence. It frequently appears in discussions about the US-China trade relationship, where it can become a highly politicized topic. For the average Chinese citizen planning to study abroad, travel, or buy foreign goods, fluctuations in the 汇率 have a direct and tangible impact on their purchasing power and life plans.
汇率 (huìlǜ) is a standard, formal term used in virtually all contexts related to currency exchange. There is no informal slang for it; you will hear and see this word used everywhere from official bank signs to casual conversations.
The term itself is neutral and carries no inherent positive or negative connotation; the connotation comes from whether the rate is favorable (划算 - huásuàn) or not.