China’s Gold Demand Surge Reshapes Global Market Dynamics
China's voracious appetite for Gold is rewriting the rules of precious metals markets. While official figures show modest central bank purchases of 6 tons between June and August, analysts estimate actual acquisitions may exceed 250 tons annually—representing over a third of global central bank demand.
The discrepancy between reported and actual purchases reveals strategic accumulation. Plenum Research identifies a 1,300-ton annual gap in 2022-2023, while Japan Gold Market Association's Bruce Ikemitsu suggests China's reserves likely double the official 5,000-ton disclosure. This stealth accumulation coincides with retail investors flocking to gold as geopolitical tensions escalate and dollar alternatives gain appeal.