China's central bank continued its substantial accumulation of gold in June 2026, marking the twentieth consecutive month of increased holdings. Official data indicates that the People's Bank of China (PBOC) added to its gold reserves, which now stand at 75.44 million troy ounces. This figure represents an increase from 74.96 million troy ounces recorded in May 2026.
This sustained buying trend by China is particularly notable as overall central bank gold purchases have shown some moderation since the beginning of the year. The consistent additions by Beijing highlight a continued strategic interest in diversifying its reserve assets. For retail forex and CFD traders, understanding central bank reserve trends, especially in major economies, can offer insights into broader macroeconomic strategies and potential long-term currency stability considerations.
Despite the increase in physical volume, the reported value of China's gold reserves experienced a notable decline in June. The value dropped to $303.72 billion, down from $340.75 billion in May 2026. This reduction in value primarily reflects the broader market trend, as June marked the fourth consecutive month of falling gold prices globally. Such a prolonged period of decline in gold prices was last observed between July and October 2022.
Official Figures and Market Speculation
It is important to consider that the officially reported figures for China's gold reserves are often viewed with a degree of market speculation. For many years, analysts and independent estimates have suggested that China's actual gold accumulation could be significantly higher than what is publicly disclosed. This potential discrepancy underscores the opacity sometimes associated with major state-backed financial activities.
The continuous growth in China's official gold reserves, spanning nearly two years, underscores a persistent strategy to bolster its precious metal holdings. While the reported value dipped in June due to prevailing market conditions for gold, the consistent volume increases by the PBOC remain a key development for global commodity markets and reserve management watchers.
📰 Based on reporting from: ForexLive →