The currency is closely monitored by the Central Bank of China and in the spot market, is allowed to rise or fall by 1 percent from the set parity rate each trading day.

FORBES: China Currency To Gain Against Dollar This Year

They know where the bar is set as far as reaching parity with the new Delta and United contracts.

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But Health Minister Earl Howe said it was unnecessary because "parity" between mental and physical illness was already set out as one of the overall requirements of the bill.

BBC: Government suffers defeat over NHS Bill

The Chinese economy is set to become as large as that of the US by around 2016 when assessed in purchasing power parity terms, which factor in price differences between countries, it added.

CNN: OECD: China forecast to overtake U.S. by 2016

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the sticking point was the United Auto Workers' refusal to set a "date certain" to put employees at U.S. auto manufacturers at "parity pay" with U.S. employees at foreign automakers in the United States.

CNN: Auto bailout bill dies in Senate