China & The Gold Market

China's Role in the Gold Market : China has admitted what many gold bugs have long speculated: it's been stockpiling gold since 2003. That accounts for only about 1.6% of China's total foreign exchange holdings and is little more than one-tenth of the value of the U.S. gold reserve, the world's biggest. It also means gold has slipped as a share of China's total reserves from about 2%, based on end-2003 prices. China's investment in gold has increased by around 50 percent over recent years, coming in behind India as the world's second largest gold consumer. At the China International Jewellery Fair, gold lovers eye everything from standard rings to designer necklaces. Or for those with no limits, how about a gold tiara or tailor-made luxury bra.