HONG KONG — The Chinese central bank announced Sunday afternoon that any changes in the value of its currency, the renminbi, would be gradual, in a clear attempt to reassure the Chinese people that a move Saturday evening toward a more flexible currency would not result in a sharp or disruptive change.

The central bank’s statement coincided with signs of a backlash in China, where many view a weak currency and the accompanying strong exports as a sign of national sovereignty. The Chinese decision to tolerate a more flexible currency drew caustic postings on Chinese Internet sites, like one on Sohu.com: “I didn’t imagine I would see the day when China would submit to America and agree to appreciation of the renminbi.”

We still blame WWII on Hitler

I believe we can all agree on the root cause of the state's $20-billion budget gap.

It's welfare: all those millions of taxpayer dollars going to recipients who line up for their government handouts instead of competing in the marketplace on a level playing field like the rest of us, who don't pay their fair share of taxes and who get protected by a politically powerful lobby.

Yes, I'm talking about the business community.

Get out of the trough.