China has applied to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to become an observer, China's central bank the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said Friday.

China is waiting for the evaluation from the FATF, the most influential international anti-money laundering organization, after it sent an inspection team to the country in the middle of this month, said a PBOC official.

The country is also preparing to apply for formal membership, the official said.

"China is working hard with other countries to fight launderingwith an open mind and practical manner and expects to become a FATF member," the official said.

The central bank submitted the application to the FATF in February this year and PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan handed the letter of commitment to the organization later.

The country has listed terrorism financing as one of its top targets in anti-money laundering, he said.

China has been an initial member of an Europe-Asian group against money laundering and terrorism financing (EAG) and attended its first meeting held in Moscow on Dec. 8, the official said.

The country will host its second meeting in April next year, headded.

Source: Xinhua