# foreign exchange reserves

China’s Central Bank Keeps Buying Gold — Small Steps, Strategic Shift

China’s central bank increased its gold holdings for the 15th month in a row to 74.19 million ounces at end-January 2026, adding roughly 40,000 ounces. Foreign-exchange reserves rose to $3.399 trillion, helped by a weaker dollar and asset price gains; analysts see Beijing’s modest, persistent gold buying as a cautious move to diversify reserves.