* China's overseas yuan push is limited so far -minister
* Says yuan's rate is determine by market forces
* Surprised at how big China's trade surplus has been
By Zhou Xin and Simon Rabinovitch
XIAMEN, China, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The dollar will remain the world's dominant currency for a long time, and the yuan will only gradually emerge as an alternative, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Wednesday.
China has surprised observers in recent months with a rapid succession of policies to promote the yuan's use overseas, but Chen cautioned against heightened expectations, saying that these moves had been limited and regional in focus.
"In terms of currency internationalisation, we lack experience and human capital, so we will push this forward prudently," he told reporters on the sidelines of an investment forum in the southeastern coastal city of Xiamen.
China was realistic about the present shape of the international monetary system, recognising that the dollar was at its centre, Chen said.
"There is no stronger currency than the dollar for supporting world economic activities," he said.
The Chinese central bank has, in fact, made no secret of its displeasure with the dollar-led international financial system. Hu Xiaolian, central bank vice governor, said in a recent article that over-reliance on a single currency was a deficiency laid bare by the global financial crisis. [ID:nLDE68208M]
Chen said that stability of major currencies was the key for ensuring a healthy recovery from the global trauma of the past two years.
"If major currencies, especially the U.S. dollar, are not stable, then there will be big fluctuations among international currencies, which may have a big impact on investors," he said.
Beijing has unveiled a series of policies in recent months to make the yuan more attractive globally, from encouraging other countries to settle their trade with China in yuan and creating more investment channels for foreign firms holding the Chinese currency.
For related factbox, see: [ID:nTOE67M077]
STABLE YUAN
Despite all the moves to promote the yuan's circulation abroad, he said stability was going to be the order of the day for its exchange rate.
He saw no signals suggesting that there should be major fluctuations or volatility in its value. He also said that the exchange rate was determined by market forces.
China lifted the yuan from a nearly two-year peg to the dollar on June 19. The yuan has risen only about 0.4 percent against the dollar since then. For yuan market report, see: [CNY/]
Many U.S. lawmakers say that China keeps its currency undervalued to make its products cheaper in global markets, giving its exporters an unfair advantage.
A large rebound in China's trade surplus over the past few months has breathed new life into this criticism.
Beijing is due to report its latest trade figures, covering the month of August, on Friday.
Chen said that China hoped to see a smaller trade surplus this year, but that it been larger than expected so far, partly because of falling commodity prices.
China wants to quell tensions with the United States through quiet talk, not shouting matches, senior officials told White House advisers visiting Beijing on Tuesday. [ID:nTOE68603Z] (Editing by Ken Wills)