📈 China’s Gold Reserves Hit 15‑Month High — Explained

China’s official gold reserves have reached a new peak, marking a 15‑month high in the country’s long-term strategy of accumulating gold bullion as part of its foreign exchange reserves. According to the latest data, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) continued systematic gold purchases into early 2026, pushing total holdings to about $369.6 billion. This rise reflects both global increases in gold prices and ongoing additions by China’s central bank.
🪙 What’s Happening?
China has been steadily increasing its gold reserves for over a year, with around 15 consecutive months of purchases.
As of January 2026, total gold holdings reached approximately 74.19 million troy ounces (around 2,308 metric tonnes) — the highest level on record.
Rising global gold prices have contributed to the record‑high valuation of these assets.
🧠 Why Is China Doing This?
1. Reserve Diversification:
Gold is a hedge against risks of holding large amounts of foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar. Increasing gold holdings reduces reliance on dollar-based assets like U.S. Treasury bonds.
2. Economic Security:
Gold acts as a safe-haven asset in times of geopolitical tension and financial market uncertainty, helping protect the value of reserves.
3. Monetary Policy Flexibility:
With global monetary policies evolving, China positions its reserves to better withstand currency volatility and inflation risks.
4. Long-Term Strategic Planning:
Experts note that China’s gold share of total reserves is still relatively low, leaving room for further accumulation as part of a long-term strategy.
🌍 Global Context
China remains one of the world’s largest central bank gold holders. Its trend of increasing reserves aligns with other central banks globally, which are diversifying holdings with gold.
✅ Summary:
China’s gold reserves are at a 15-month high, with continued central bank purchases boosting both tonnage and dollar value to record levels. This strategy supports reserve diversification, economic hedging, and stronger long-term reserve security.