China’s actual gold purchases this year may exceed officially declared volumes by several times and have already become one of the key drivers of record growth in precious metal prices, the Financial Times writes, citing analysts and market data.
According to official statistics from the People’s Bank of China, in 2025 the regulator purchased only about 25 tons of gold, with an increase in reserves of approximately 2 tons in some months. However, analysts at Société Générale, assessing trade flows of large bars and import data, believe that Beijing’s actual purchases could reach up to 250 tons per year, or more than a third of the total demand of global central banks. According to their estimates, actual purchases may exceed the officially disclosed figures by ten times or more.
Bruce Ikemizu, director of the Japan Precious Metals Market Association, said that market participants this year “practically do not believe official statistics, especially for China,” and estimates the country’s current gold reserves at nearly 5,000 tons — about twice the level reported publicly by the Chinese authorities.
According to the FT and experts, a significant portion of purchases are made opaquely — through the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), the sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation, and other entities that are not required to publish detailed reports on gold reserves. This makes it difficult to assess the real scale of operations and increases market uncertainty.
Analysts note that the secretive accumulation of gold is linked to a strategy of de-dollarization. “China is buying gold as part of its strategy to reduce its dependence on the dollar,” the press quotes Jeff Currie, a strategist at Carlyle, as saying. Gold is seen as a hedge against currency and geopolitical risks, including against the backdrop of tensions with the US.
According to estimates by the World Gold Council, over the past decade, the share of gold in the international reserves of countries outside the US has grown from about 10% to 26%, making the metal the second most important reserve asset after the US dollar. Large-scale purchases by central banks have helped push the price of gold above $4,300 per troy ounce, according to the FT and industry publications.
China remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of gold, accounting for about 10% of global production, which allows Beijing to increase its reserves not only through imports but also through the domestic market.
World demand for gold excluding over-the-counter (OTC) transactions in the third quarter of 2025 amounted to 1.26 thousand tons, which is 5% higher than the result of the corresponding period last year, calculated by the World Gold Council (WGC).
Investors continued to play a key role: purchases in ETFs in the third quarter amounted to 222 tons, demand for coins and bars – 316 tons (for the fourth consecutive quarter it exceeded 300 tons). Central bank purchases also remain at a high level of 220 tons – 28% more than in the previous quarter.
Supply in the gold market increased by 3% to 1.31 thousand tons. This is a quarterly record in the history of observations. The excess supply, 55 tons, was absorbed by the OTC market.
Earlier, the Experts Club think tank presented an analysis of the world’s leading gold producing countries in its Youtube channel video – https://youtube.com/shorts/DWbzJ1e2tJc?si=YuRnDiu7jtfUPBR9.
As of 15:43 GMT, the spot price of the precious metal was $4,222.18 per ounce, down 3.1% from the previous session’s close. Earlier in trading, it fell to $4,215.17 per ounce. Gold futures on Comex are down 3.5% to $4,205.8 per ounce.
Investors are taking profits amid a strengthening US dollar and signs of easing tensions.
In particular, US President Donald Trump said he expects to reach a trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ahead of the talks between the two leaders, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet.
In addition, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said yesterday that the US federal government shutdown is likely to end this week.
Earlier, the Experts Club think tank presented an analysis of the world’s leading gold-producing countries in a video on its YouTube channel — https://youtube.com/shorts/DWbzJ1e2tJc?si=YuRnDiu7jtfUPBR9
Against the backdrop of rapid growth in international gold prices, residents of a number of Asian countries really did rush to buy bullion — and in the first half of the day, stores sometimes closed by noon. Vietnamese people in a number of cities lined up at dawn when legislation finally abolished the state monopoly on gold trading.
Meanwhile, the price of gold has already surpassed $4,300 per ounce and continues to hit historic highs.
Growing expectations of a Fed interest rate cut and tensions in US-China relations have pushed investors toward “safe havens” — gold has become a safe asset. Against the backdrop of inflationary pressure and market volatility, the precious metal is once again in the spotlight for investors.
In Australia, at the peak of gold price growth, areas and rivers traditionally used by amateur gold miners (washing gold in river streams) are once again attracting attention. Some people are earning hundreds of dollars in just a few hours. This phenomenon is being covered by the media as a “gold renaissance” not only in the corporate sector, but also among mass investors.
Earlier, the Experts Club analytical center presented an analysis of the world’s leading gold-producing countries in its video on YouTube channel — https://youtube.com/shorts/DWbzJ1e2tJc?si=YuRnDiu7jtfUPBR9
The spot price of gold hit a new record high on Monday. As of 9:34 a.m., it stands at $4068.74 per ounce, which is 1.3% higher than the previous session’s close. Earlier in trading, the spot price of gold rose to $4078.24 per ounce, marking an all-time high. Gold futures on the Comex exchange are up 2.2%, reaching $4087.4 per ounce.
The precious metal is supported by rising tensions between the United States and China, as well as expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the possibility of significantly increasing import tariffs on Chinese goods in response to Beijing’s tightened export controls on rare earth metals. He also said he saw no point in meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, on Sunday, Trump stated that Washington wants to help Beijing rather than harm it and suggested that he might still meet with Xi later this fall.
In addition, traders expect two more rate cuts by the Fed before the end of the year. According to futures market pricing, the probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the U.S. central bank at its next meeting on October 28–29 is estimated at 95.7%. Investors in the derivatives market also expect another similar cut in December.
Earlier, the analytical center Experts Club released an analysis of the world’s leading gold-producing countries in a video on its YouTube channel — https://youtube.com/shorts/DWbzJ1e2tJc?si=9YBue5CS6dz-tA6_
The rapid growth in the price of gold continues on global markets: December futures prices on the Comex exchange rose to $3,965 per troy ounce on Monday
Against the backdrop of rising gold prices, other precious metals are also becoming more expensive.
Platinum added about 0.8%, rising to $1,085 per ounce, on expectations of reduced supply from South Africa.
Silver strengthened by 1.2%, reaching $32.7 per ounce, following the general increase in interest in precious metals.
According to experts, if political uncertainty in the US and the EU persists, gold could consolidate above the $4,000 mark, with silver and platinum continuing to rise moderately in its wake.
Earlier, the Experts Club analytical center presented an analysis of the world’s leading gold-producing countries in its video on YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/shorts/DWbzJ1e2tJc?si=9YBue5CS6dz-tA6_
