China’s capital outflow pressure has eased, with the deficit of foreign exchange settlement and sales narrowing 28 percent in 2016, according to official data released by top foreign exchange administration on Jan. 19.

China’s dollar-dominated foreign exchange sales settlement and sales deficit decreased to 2.25 trillion RMB ($337.7 billion), 28 percent lower than in 2015, statistics from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) showed.

China has maintained a balance of international payment and national economic financial security amid slow global economic recovery and severe international market fluctuation.

Compared with the $124.8-billion deficit in the first quarter in 2016, the deficit during October and December was $94.3 billion, 24 percent lower than that of the first quarter and 43 percent lower than during the same period last year.

Official statistics indicate that enterprises showed month-on-month increases in financing demands beginning in March 2016, and the balance of cross-border foreign currency financing increased by $42.5 billion by the end of 2016.

The statistics also showed that domestic foreign exchange deposits by enterprises and individuals were increasing. The domestic foreign exchange balance is now $48.8 billion higher than in 2015.