Conclusion: China's official gold buying stayed strong while jewellery demand remained soft, creating a split signal for XAU/USD. The hook is buyer identity: central-bank demand and household demand respond to different incentives.
The World Gold Council reported that the PBoC added 20 tonnes in July, lifting holdings to 2,366 tonnes after a 21st consecutive month of purchases.
| Indicator | Reported signal |
|---|---|
| PBoC purchase | +20t in July |
| Official holdings | 2,366t |
| China ETFs | +5t to 282t |
| H1 imports | 764t, +138% y/y |
Official buying reflects reserve management; ETF flows reflect financial allocation; jewellery reflects affordability and consumption. A single 'China demand' headline loses these distinctions.
The latest XAU/USD technical video addresses price action, not Chinese reserve flows. WGC data support the tonnage claims.
Localized for China and checked September 3, 2026.