香港正在争夺全球黄金定价权

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant rise in gold prices and the establishment of a central clearing system for gold in Hong Kong, which is expected to enhance the region's position as an international financial center and improve the efficiency of gold trading and settlement [1][6][7]. Group 1: Gold Price Surge - As of January 29, 2026, the spot price of gold in London reached a historic high of $5,598 per ounce, with domestic prices in China also rising, as evidenced by the Shanghai Gold Exchange's T+D price reaching 1,243.40 yuan per gram [1]. - The global geopolitical tensions and increased gold purchases by central banks have contributed to this price surge, with the World Gold Council reporting that central banks bought a net total of 634 tons of gold from January to September 2025, with annual purchases expected to be between 750 tons and 900 tons [6][12]. Group 2: Central Clearing System - Hong Kong has lacked a unified central clearing mechanism for gold trading, relying on a bilateral clearing model that has led to high costs and risks [3][5]. - The newly announced central clearing system aims to address these issues by integrating clearing, storage, and trading, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing transaction costs [9][10]. - The system is designed to be government-led with market participation, ensuring a collaborative approach to governance and rule-making [9][10]. Group 3: Market Infrastructure and Collaboration - The Hong Kong government is actively supporting the development of the gold market, including the establishment of storage facilities and the promotion of interconnectivity with the Shanghai Gold Exchange [6][10]. - The collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai is expected to create a dual hub for gold trading, enhancing China's influence in the global gold market and facilitating the pricing of gold in renminbi [12][17]. - The central clearing system will also enable the seamless integration of various market functions, addressing the current fragmentation in gold trading processes [10][11]. Group 4: Product Diversification and Innovation - The establishment of the central clearing system provides a solid foundation for the innovation of gold financial products in Hong Kong, including the introduction of gold ETFs and tokenized gold products [14][15]. - The total assets under management for gold ETFs in Hong Kong grew by 45% year-on-year to 15 billion HKD in the first three quarters of 2025, indicating a significant increase in market activity [14]. - The article highlights the potential for developing a regulatory framework for tokenized gold products, ensuring that physical gold reserves back these digital assets [15]. Group 5: Regional Cooperation and Future Outlook - The Hong Kong government is enhancing regional cooperation with mainland China to streamline the supply chain for gold, which could lead to cost advantages and meet global demand [16]. - The integration of the central clearing system with existing market institutions is expected to improve the efficiency of gold trading and settlement processes, thereby attracting more international investors [17]. - The article concludes that the establishment of the central clearing system and the innovation in gold products represent a strategic move for Hong Kong to solidify its role as a global gold trading center and support the internationalization of the renminbi [18].