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Abstract:
Standard economic models predict that the choice of an exchange rate regime has important implications for the interdependency of national monetary policies, which is sometimes measured by the degree of inflation transmission across borders. In this paper, we examine how inflation rates in two small open economies, namely Hong Kong and Singapore, interact with those in the U.S. It is found that the price levels in these three economies are cointegrated. Thus, a vector error correction model is used to study the inflation dynamics. It is found that Hong Kong and Singapore inflation rates, but not the U.S. one, respond to the error correction term. Compared with Singapore, the Hong Kong inflation rate is more responsive to U.S. price shocks. The different responses to U.S. price shocks are consistent with the difference in exchange rate regimes adopted by the two economies.

Exchange Rate Regime, Inflation Transmission Mechanism, Cointegration, Common Feature, Codependence

Abstract:
The study assesses the level of integration among the three Greater China economies (China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) and examines the suitability of a Greater China currency union. The three economies already have extensive trade and investment linkages. Our analyses show that they share common long-run and short-run cyclical variations. We also estimate the output costs of relinquishing policy autonomy to form a currency union. The estimated output losses, which depend on, e.g., the method used to generate shock estimates, seem to be moderate and are likely to be less than the efficient gains derived from a currency union.

Abstract:
The study assesses the level of integration among the three Greater China economies (namely China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) and examines the suitability of a Greater China currency union. Currently, the three economies have extensive trade and investment linkages. Our analyses show that these economies share common long-run and short-run cyclical variations. We also estimate the output costs of relinquishing policy autonomy to form a currency union. The estimated output losses, which depend on, for example, the method used to generate shock estimates, seem to be moderate and are likely to be less than the efficient gains derived from a currency union arrangement.

Greater China, trade and investment, common stochastic trend, synchronized and non-synchronized business cycles, output losses, exchange rate regime

Abstract:
The prospect of creating a currency union consisting of China, Japan, and Korea is evaluated using output data. After a brief discussion on the interactions between the three countries, the study investigates whether these three countries have common synchronous business cycles, which are perceived as one of the preconditions of a currency union. Then, we assess the potential costs of giving up monetary policy autonomy to form a currency union. It is found that the three national output series tend to move together in the long run and share common business cycles. While the output loss estimates depend on assumptions used to generate shocks, they tend to be small. However, there are potential conflicts between these countries on the choice of the policy target of the common monetary authorities.

Common Stochastic Trend, Business Cycles, Output Losses, Exchange Rate Regime, Asian Economies