BEIJING -- China's foreign-exchange regulator said Tuesday it will widen the range of companies allowed to offer financing to their affiliates or units abroad, to help Chinese companies expand overseas amid the financing crunch in international markets.

The move signals Beijing's resolve to promote outward investments, despite a hiccup in China's overseas expansion as Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto Ltd. Friday ended its planned $19.5 billion alliance with Aluminum Corp. of China.

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