China's gold output and consumption both saw steady growth in the first quarter of 2024, industry data showed Friday.
China produced 85.959 tonnes of gold in the first quarter, up 1.16 percent from a year earlier, according to data released by the China Gold Association (CGA).
In the first three months, gold consumption in China stood at 308.905 tonnes, up 5.94 percent year on year, CGA data showed.
Starting from April 22, the international gold price began to decline. As of Friday, the international gold price remained at 2,335 U.S. dollars per ounce, still maintaining a high level.
Consumers have become more cautious, adopting a wait-and-see approach. Many residents tend to purchase small-weight, exquisite gold products.
"I want to buy a gift for my sister. She just gave birth to a baby. I prefer small gold jewelry which the total price is acceptable," said Wang Fan, a consumer.
As the May Day holiday is approaching, many gold jewelry stores are enticing consumers by introducing a wider range of novel styles and suits.
"May Day marks the peak of wedding season, and we've prepared thousands of products for customers, including both small and large sets. Additionally, we've curated a collection of lightweight luxury necklaces tailored for young people to wear during the summer," said Wang He, staff member of a gold jewelry store.
China's gold output, consumption rise in Q1
China and France should uphold independence and jointly fend off a "new Cold War" or bloc confrontation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday in Paris.
During his talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, Xi expressed his pleasure at being invited to pay his third state visit to France on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
Xi hoped that through this visit, he can work with President Macron to pass the baton of history and embark on a new journey for the next 60 years of bilateral ties, so as to make new contributions to world peace and stability as well as human development and progress.
To that end, Xi said both countries should adhere to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and work to add new dimensions to it.
He called on China and France to make concerted efforts facing the undergoing global changes and turbulence unseen in a century.
"Both sides should uphold independence and jointly fend off a 'new Cold War' or bloc confrontation, adhere to mutual understanding and jointly promote a harmonious and colorful world where all countries can coexist, remain forward-looking and jointly push for an equal, orderly multi-polar world, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and jointly oppose decoupling, disruption of industrial and supply chains, and the erection of 'fences and barriers'", he said.
Xi is on a state visit to France at the invitation of Macron. He will also pay state visits to Serbia and Hungary.
China, France should uphold independence, jointly fend off "new Cold War" or bloc confrontation: Xi
