看似简单的借贷问题，实则关乎全球经济格局、货币体系变迁与大国战略博弈，要读懂中国的选择，需从历史经纬中找答案，更要在全球货币体系变迁中预 判未来。 2025年8月，美国国债总额突破37万亿美元，日均新增220亿美元，利息支出达1.4万亿美元超军费总和。 与此同时，美国财政部数据显示中国仍持有7532亿美元美债，虽连续4个月减持却未清仓。 这组矛盾数据引发美国Quora论坛热议，"中国明知美国可能赖账，为何还持有这么多美债？" 美国网友提问 2001年12月11日，中国正式加入世界贸易组织，这成为中国外汇储备积累的"起点按钮"。 彼时，中国凭借劳动力成本优势，迅速成为"全球工厂"，对美出口规模呈爆发式增长，2002年对美出口额仅699亿美元，2010年则直接飙升至2833亿美元， 年均增速超20%。 巨额出口带来的直接结果，是美元外汇储备的快速堆积，2003年中国外汇储备突破4000亿美元，2006年超越日本成为全球第一，2013年更是达到3.66万亿美 元的峰值。 不过，这些源源不断流入的美元，却让中国面临"保值难题"，因为当时的全球资产市场中，能承接万亿美元级资金的安全选项寥寥无几。 美元 其中，欧洲主权债 ...

内容提要： 美国国债规模达36.66万亿美元，但海外持有者仅占其中的22%。中国近年加速减持美债至5月份的7563亿，主要是俄乌冲突警示、稳汇率需求 及增持黄金所推动；英国的美债持有量飙至8094亿，主要原因是伦敦金融中心托管大量外国资本，但也反映了全球资本对美国经济的信任和美 债的信任。 从贸易战到经济制裁威胁，从收益率波动到全球金融体系动荡，从国际投资去风险，到国际供应链显著而持续地调整重构，在国际贸易和国际 投资、国际政治和全球贸易风起云涌、急速颠覆旧秩序、推进新秩序之际，美国债券主要持有者的版图也因而显著变化。 一、美国政府债务，高居战时水平，但增幅不及我们的五分之一，全口径杠杆率其实中美不相上下。 截至2025年5月底，美国公共债务（政府债）总额达到约36.66万亿美元，较上年增加1.71万亿美元，增长4.9%。虽然其增幅远低于中国政府债 的增幅21.3%，但美国政府债务占 GDP的比率大约122%，超过了中国公开政府债占GDP的比率66%，也高于我们包含地方隐性债的政府债占比 118%。目前美国政府杠杆率水平，此前只有在重大战争时期才会达到。 美国公共债务已达到现代史上前所未有的水平。 美国政府债 ...

Core Insights - The People's Bank of China reported that as of June 2025, China's gold reserves reached 73.9 million ounces (approximately 2,298.55 tons), marking a net increase of 70,000 ounces for the eighth consecutive month [2] - The ongoing enthusiasm for gold purchases by central banks globally reflects concerns over economic uncertainty, weakening dollar credibility, and geopolitical risks, which will have lasting impacts on foreign exchange reserve structures, gold price trends, and investor decisions [2] Summary by Sections Gold Reserve Increase - Since resuming gold purchases in November last year, China's central bank has shown a "high then stable" monthly gold buying pattern, with an average monthly increase of 60,000 to 160,000 ounces from January to June 2025 [3] - In 2024, global central banks' net gold purchases reached 1,136 tons, the second-highest on record, with China, Poland, and Turkey accounting for over 50% of the total in Q1 2025 [3] Strategic Implications - The central bank's gold purchases align with the internationalization of the renminbi, as it has become the second-largest trade financing currency and the third-largest payment currency globally [4] - The trend of increasing gold reserves is expected to continue, as China's gold reserves still lag behind those of developed economies, indicating a strategic need for asset allocation and security [4][5] Market Dynamics - While the central bank's gold purchases may support gold prices, it does not guarantee price increases, as historical instances show that increased central bank purchases can coincide with declining gold prices [6] - The pace and intensity of gold purchases by central banks vary, leading to different short-term impacts on domestic and international gold prices [6] Investment Considerations - The central bank's actions signal the enduring safe-haven appeal of gold, prompting investors to consider various investment vehicles such as gold-themed financial products, physical gold, and gold ETFs [8] - Investors are advised to avoid blindly chasing high prices, as the current high levels of gold prices may already reflect existing uncertainties, and new investors should prioritize long-term value preservation over short-term gains [9]

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve is facing increasing internal calls for interest rate cuts, with San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly predicting two rate cuts by the end of the year, warning that waiting for inflation to drop to 2% could lead to missed opportunities that harm the economy and labor market [1] - Fed Governor Waller echoed similar sentiments, suggesting an immediate reduction of rates from the current 4.25%-4.5% to around 3% to alleviate economic pressure, indicating a response to prevailing economic conditions [1][3] Group 2 - The Fed's shift is not only a reaction to economic data but also a response to external political pressures, particularly from former President Trump, who argues that a 1% rate cut could save the U.S. $360 billion in interest payments, highlighting the increasing pressure on the Fed [3] - Concurrently, China has been reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasury bonds for three consecutive months, bringing its holdings down to $756.3 billion, while simultaneously increasing its gold reserves, which are expected to reach 73.9 million ounces by June 2025, indicating a strategic shift in its foreign exchange reserve structure [3][5] Group 3 - The preference for gold over U.S. Treasuries is driven by the low yields of the latter in the face of inflation and dollar depreciation, with global central banks also increasing gold purchases, reaching the second-highest level in 2024, as a response to the dominance of the dollar [5] - Countries are adapting to a new economic landscape, seeking balance with the U.S. as unilateralism increases its isolation, evidenced by ASEAN countries using local currencies for transactions and Saudi Arabia doubling its oil trade with China in yuan [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the need for cautious consideration of asset allocation for ordinary investors entering the gold investment field, especially given the recent rapid rise in gold prices to historical highs, which may increase financial risks contrary to the hedging logic of gold investment [1]. Group 1: Gold Investment Trends - As of July 7, 2025, China's foreign exchange reserves exceeded $3.3 trillion, with pure gold holdings rising for eight consecutive months to 73.9 million ounces [2]. - There have been instances where central banks increased gold holdings, yet gold prices declined, such as during the period from 2012 to 2016 when central banks bought significantly more gold than they sold, while international gold prices continued to fall [3][4]. - The domestic gold price increased from a low of 368 yuan per gram in January 2022 to a high of 825 yuan per gram in April 2025, marking a 124% increase, while international gold prices also saw over a 110% rise during the same period [4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Investor Behavior - The increase in gold prices is influenced by geopolitical tensions, the deepening of U.S.-China relations, and a weakening U.S. dollar, which are seen as significant factors affecting the political and economic landscape for decades to come [4]. - In the second quarter of 2025, global gold ETFs experienced a net outflow of 123 tons, the largest quarterly outflow in three years, indicating that some investors are choosing to take profits and exit the gold market [5]. - Domestic retail sales of gold and silver jewelry grew by 12.3% year-on-year from January to May 2025, with a peak in trading volume in April, suggesting a surge in investor interest [6]. Group 3: Investment Strategy and Considerations - The article suggests that the key to achieving substantial returns from gold lies in long-term holding, as short-term investments may yield lower returns due to the lack of interest income compared to other investment vehicles [7]. - Investors should be aware of the high repurchase price spread when selling physical gold, which can be over 10% lower than the purchase price, and consider transaction costs when making investment decisions [7]. - The article warns that as more ordinary investors flock to the gold market, it may indicate that gold prices have already factored in current uncertainties, potentially reaching a peak in demand [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - China sold $18.9 billion of U.S. Treasury bonds in March, yet the total amount of U.S. debt held by China increased from $706.4 billion at the beginning of the year to $765.4 billion, raising questions about the apparent contradiction in these figures [1][3]. Group 1: Statistical Discrepancies - The U.S. Treasury's data reflects the balance of U.S. debt held in foreign institutional accounts, not real-time buy/sell transactions, leading to potential misinterpretations of China's actions [3][7]. - China's transactions may involve intermediaries in countries like Belgium, Switzerland, and Singapore, causing the appearance of increased holdings despite sales [3][7]. Group 2: Strategic Adjustments - China is not simply liquidating its U.S. debt but is strategically reallocating its assets to more flexible and stable investments, or converting them into cash reserves [5][9]. - The ongoing U.S. fiscal deficit and declining confidence in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy are prompting China to adjust its foreign reserve strategy [5][9]. Group 3: Long-term Strategy - The management of U.S. debt holdings is part of China's broader national strategy, influenced by global market dynamics and geopolitical considerations [9][10]. - The adjustments in holdings are not random but are calculated moves in response to the evolving international financial landscape [9][10].