The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday with benchmark lending rate held in a target range of 1.00 percent to 1.25 percent as widely expected.
The Fed was expected to start winding down its massive holdings of bonds "relatively soon" in a sign of confidence in the US economy.
It also said in a statement that it was on track to continue its slow path of monetary tightening since 2015.
The statement cemented expectations that the Fed will announce the start of its balance sheet reduction plan at its next policy meeting in September.
US stock prices rose following the release of the Fed's statement while yields on government debt fell.
Beautiful scenery of Sansha city in South China Sea
Night view along Fengyu bridge in China's Hubei
Shanghai Zoo takes varied measures to keep animals cool
China becomes world’s top buyer of Australian gold
Beauty of the sea in the eyes of Chinese sailors
Didi Chuxing to co-lead in $2billion investment to SEA’s largest ride-hailing platform
Torch festival lights up night sky in Sichuan
World’s first shared bookstore opens in Anhui to promote reading
China’s domestic airlines' carrying capacity beats the US
Top 10 most sustainable cities in China
Top 10 European patent applicants in 2016
The power of 'She' in China
Seven most beautiful art museums in China
Chinese navy can respond in kind to US provocation 
Volunteers pick garbage, protect wildlife on World Heritage site Hoh Xil 
Driven by success of bikes, sharing economy is witnessing a chaotic expansion 
China continues investment in overseas port assets, but hasn’t reached high tides yet Day|Week
