But unlike commerce officials in the United States, who have a strict policy of not commenting on currency issues, commerce officials in China have been outspoken to the domestic Chinese media in recent months in condemning any appreciation of the currency.
In contrast to Osborne's hard-nosed comments on currency matters, Prime Minister David Cameron pleaded last week with Scots to keep their marriage to the English and Welsh intact, noting their shared history, achievements and values in an emotional speech described by pundits as "love-bombing".
But before an audience that contained many Americans and many Chinese, his comments on currencies arguably had the greatest resonance.
But before an audience that contained many Americans and many Chinese, his comments on currencies may have had the greatest resonance.
Updated at 4.41pm GMT 4.31pm GMT Here's another take on the G7's confusing comments on currencies yesterday, from Pimco chief executive Mohamed El-Erian.
A joint statement issued by the two sides was also devoid of any comments on the currency dispute.
Iain McMillan, director of the Confederation of British Industry, Scotland, which says it represents 26,000 businesses, said Mr. Osborne's comments on the currency suggested that the Scots would be better off remaining part of Britain.
Often, this has been down to high-profile hacks, or as a result of governments around the world, particularly China, commenting on the currency's future legal status.
But last week, David Dodge, the governor of the Bank of Canada, said that the Canadian dollar had risen too quickly and too high, although the comment had little apparent impact on currency markets.
He declined to comment on how much of the currency the government had sold to weaken it.
