China currency manipulation a big concern - Geithner

WASHINGTON Jan 21 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is committed to pressing China on its currency practices, which are a major concern for the both United States and the global economy, U.S. Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday.

Geithner was asked at his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing whether he thought China's "manipulation" of its currency remained a serious concern.

"I do believe it is a significant issue," he told Sen. Jim Bunning, a Kentucky Republican who has sponsored legislation to press China to move a more flexible exchange rate policy.

"As I said earlier, I believe it is important for the United States and the global economy that our major trading partners operate with a flexible exchange rate system and that market forces determine the level of those exchange rates," Geithner said.

(Reporting by Doug Palmer; editing by Sandra Maler))