(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 -- The Chinese yuan's onshore exchange rate weakened today to cross the threshold of 7 against the US dollar for the first time since Feb. 3. 

At 2.40 p.m., the rate was 7.0001, and the offshore one stood at 7.0030.

The People's Bank of China softened the yuan by 31 basis points against the greenback to 6.9826 this morning.

Editor: Emmi Laine