(Yicai Global) Aug. 5 -- China's onshore and offshore yuan-US dollar exchange rates both burst through the 7/1 mark this morning.

This point has always been a key psychological 'sound-barrier' for investors.

The onshore rate stood at 7.0258 yuan per dollar at 10.08 am, rising 1.23 percent during today's trading, indicating the puniest redback since 2008. A rising rate signals a weakening yuan.

The offshore rate was 7.0683 yuan at the same time in a 1.38 percent climb, the first time the rate has broken through this obstacle since the offshore market formed in Hong Kong in 2010.

Editor: Ben Armour