Analysts told the Global Times Thursday that Beijing should maintain independent decision-making rights on currency appreciation rather than compromising to Western pressure.

The remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday that China's refusal to revalue its currency was impeding global economic reforms, amid pressure from the US Congress to impose sanctions on Beijing.

"A more flexible RMB (yuan) will allow market forces to play a more active role over time in facilitating strong, balanced and sustainable growth globally," Geither told a congressional hearing on the US-China economic relationship.  More from the People's Daily here