Dissonant voices challenging the US dollar's status as the global reserve currency are not likely to become the mainstream voices at the Group of Eight (G8) summit which starts today, a top Chinese official said.

France and Russia have urged a discussion and there were reports about China's calling for debate on a new global reserve currency at the meeting. But Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister He Yafei told reporters in Rome on Sunday that the dollar would remain pre-eminent for "many years to come".

Many people interpreted He's remarks as words to reassure Washington, as the debate is highly sensitive that it would rekindle market fears about the dollar's value.