According to Kitco, this strategy combines building new market infrastructure, expanding gold storage and supporting gold mining businesses to expand operations abroad.
According to many international sources, Hong Kong (China) has established Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing, a completely state-owned company specializing in providing payment and clearing services for the precious metals market. This system is expected to begin trial operation before the end of 2026.
In parallel with that, local authorities also set a target to expand gold storage capacity in Hong Kong to more than 2,000 tons in the next three years. This is considered an important step to enhance Hong Kong's role in the global gold trading chain.
Strengthening gold market infrastructure
One of the reasons is that China's international gold trading, storage and payment system is still in the process of completion.
Therefore, the development of Hong Kong into an international gold center is considered a step to supplement the infrastructure for the market. When the new system is completed, investors in mainland China can trade and store gold in Hong Kong more conveniently, while attracting more international investors.
Experts believe that if Hong Kong becomes a major gold trading center, many countries in Asia could reduce transportation and logistics costs compared to having to deliver gold in London.
Mining enterprises expand abroad
In addition to developing market infrastructure, Chinese gold mining enterprises are also promoting investment abroad, in which Hong Kong plays a role as an important capital mobilization channel.
In early 2026, Zijin Gold International, a subsidiary of the large mining group Zijin Mining Group, announced plans to acquire Canadian company Allied Gold for about 4 billion USD. If the deal is completed, Zijin will hold shares in gold mining projects in Ethiopia and Mali.
Capital for these expansion plans is mainly mobilized from the Hong Kong stock market. Last year, Zijin Gold raised about 28 billion Hong Kong dollars (equivalent to 3.6 billion USD) through an initial public offering (IPO).
Meanwhile, Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining, a major private gold mining enterprise in China, has also listed in Hong Kong to raise capital for gold mine projects in Laos and Ghana.
Gold industry stocks increase sharply
The development of the gold center construction strategy also contributes to promoting the stock price of gold mining enterprises.
In 2025, Zijin Mining's stock increased by about 150%, then continued to increase by about 26% from the end of 2025 to February 2026. This increase significantly exceeded Hong Kong's Hang Seng index, which increased by about 28% in 2025 and about 6% in the first two months of 2026.
Chifeng Gold's stock also recorded an increase of about 34% in the same period.
According to analysts, support from policies and development prospects for the gold market in Hong Kong is creating a positive loop. Increased stock prices help businesses leverage capital more easily, thereby continuing to expand mining and investment activities abroad.
Increasing Hong Kong's role in the gold value chain
Mr. Joseph Chan Ho-lim, Deputy Minister in charge of Financial and Treasury Services of Hong Kong, said the government will "accelerate the promotion" of the plan to make Hong Kong an international gold trading center.
Within the framework of this strategy, Hong Kong is also promoting cooperation with the Shanghai Gold Exchange. The Hong Kong government also signed a cooperation agreement with the financial management agency of Shenzhen to support gold businesses in the region.
Analysts believe that the trend of diversifying gold storage locations is increasing in the world. In the context of volatile global economies, many countries want to allocate gold reserves at different financial centers to increase flexibility.
