Gold, silver prices surge to record highs on Monday

The international market prices of gold and silver both reached record highs on Monday, driven by sustained safe-haven demand in global markets.

During the Asian trading session on Monday, the most actively traded February gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange surged more than 2 percent, topping 4,612 U.S. dollars per ounce to set a new intraday high. London spot gold also climbed above the 4,600-dollar mark per ounce, with gains exceeding 2 percent during the session.

March silver futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose more than 5 percent intraday, approaching 84 U.S. dollars per ounce. London spot silver jumped past 84 dollars per ounce, marking an intraday record high.

Gold, silver prices surge to record highs on Monday

Gold, silver prices surge to record highs on Monday

Gold, silver prices surge to record highs on Monday

Gold, silver prices surge to record highs on Monday

A thriving crab-themed night market is drawing food lovers and enthusiastic visitors to Yiyang City in central China's Hunan Province, as the prime season for hairy crab consumption arrives, driving up the local night economy.

Local authorities have unveiled an event that blends culture, commerce and tourism to boost tourism spending during peak season for crab consumption.

Building on the five hairy crab restaurants on a once-quiet pedestrian street in the city's Datonghu Lake District, local authorities, in collaboration with business operators, have rolled out a package of measures, including bid invitation, extension of rent breaks and distribution of consumer vouchers, since September, virtually turning the entire pedestrian street into a bustling night market zone.

Beyond fine food, a lineup of nighttime performances, including singing and dance competitions and carnival-style activities, has been held to attract visitors. Local chefs compete in culinary challenges, crafting elaborate feasts featuring crabs and other local aquatic delicacies and drawing crowds of residents and tourists alike.

Since September, the Datonghu Lake District has received nearly 100,000 visits, generating approximately 100 million yuan (around 15 million U.S. dollars) in revenue across the dining, retail and hospitality sectors.

Located in the heart of the Dongting Lake area, the Datonghu District is a major hairy crab producer in Hunan. This year, the total output value of the local hairy crab industry is expected to exceed 900 million yuan (about 135.4 million U.S. dollars), an increase of about 5.88 percent year on year. Hairy crabs farmed in Yiyang have also been exported to overseas markets, including Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Crab-themed market boosts night economy in central China city