China Posts Its Biggest Gold Imports Since 2017 Amid a Stronger Yuan and Falling Global Prices

According to Donya-e-Eqtesad and Arzdigital, Chinese customs data published Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (31 Shahrivar 1405), show the country's gold imports reached about 1,141 tonnes from the start of 2026 through the end of August, the highest level since 2017 and more than all of 2025's imports combined. Donya-e-Eqtesad reported China spent 158.8 billion dollars on gold imports over the period, compared with about 96.5 billion dollars for all of 2025. Analysts attributed the buying to falling global gold prices, a stronger yuan, a weak Chinese property market and low government bond yields. Citing World Gold Council data, Arzdigital reported Chinese gold ETFs have added about 44 tonnes to their holdings since the start of the year, an 18 percent increase, bringing their total to 293 tonnes, while China's central bank bought 20.2 tonnes of gold in August, lifting its official reserves to 2,387 tonnes.