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TOPIC

Commodities

Commodities
Commodity market action from around the world with a focus on the commodities that matter most to investors in Hong Kong and China.
Silver bars weighing 500 grams are displayed at the Austrian Gold and Silver Refinery in Vienna on February 3, 2026. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

UBS China venture faces wrath of silver investors after valuation change

More than 200,000 people file complaints as UBS SDIC’s attempted remedy for sudden change of fund’s price benchmark falls flat with some.

Indonesia

Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil

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China consumption

China’s gold rush: why families are doubling down on precious metals

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United States

From sanctioned to ‘legitimate’: how China bought Venezuelan oil from the US

After Nicoals Maduro’s January seizure, Washington is selling seized oil globally, with China a key buyer, says Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

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An oil tanker anchored in Lake Maracaibo, in the state of Zulia, Venezuela in December. Photo: Xinhua
Energy

Russian oil tankers list Singapore as destination amid sanctions, shift to China

Move comes as India is set ‌to ⁠scale back or halt Russian oil imports after a recent US trade deal left China as Russia’s main customer.

China energy security

Opinion | Why China keeps fossil fuels central even as it ramps up green energy

By preserving a diversified energy mix, Beijing is prioritising redundancy over an idealised, rapid transformation.

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China trade

China-Canada canola deal faces test as USMCA trade talks loom, insiders warn

Initial shipments bring hope, but ‘Fortress North America’ threat and lack of long-term guarantees leave producers wary of Beijing’s commitment.

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Bottles of Canola Harvest brand canola oil, made by a Canadian agribusiness firm, are seen on the shelf of a grocery store in Beijing. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

Banking & finance

China’s new golden rule: dig deeper mines, boost reserves and hedge global risks

China Gold Association vows tech breakthroughs in deep mining and nanogold, and a state-owned miner seeks a fourfold increase in gold output from mineral deposits.

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Donald Trump

Macroscope | Blame Trump, not Asian investors, for gold and silver volatility

The global uncertainty stemming from Trump’s behaviour is roiling precious metals markets far more than any investment from Asia.

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Molten gold made from jewelry is poured into a mold to produce a gold bar at the Austrian Gold and Silver Refinery in Vienna, Austria on February 3. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

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An oil tanker is anchored in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. China’s reliance on low-price crude from Venezuela is under strain as the United States tightens control over the country’s oil industry. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

US pitches critical minerals plan to allies to halt Beijing’s dominance

More than 50 countries encouraged to back US-led framework using price floors and financing to blunt Beijing’s control of hi-tech materials.

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China energy security

Shanxi’s green leap: renewables surpass coal in China’s energy hub

Where Shanxi goes, China goes, in their broad energy overhaul, as the region with a quarter of the nation’s coal serves as the ultimate proving ground for Beijing’s ‘dual carbon’ strategy.

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Rare earths

Video | Japan recovers rare earth samples from ocean depths of 6,000 metres (20,000ft)

Japan still relies on China for about 70 per cent of its rare earths, despite continuous efforts to find alternative sources.

This photo provided by SIP/Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, shows rare earth–rich mud recovered aboard a vessel and placed into bottles off Minamitorishima, south of Tokyo, on Feb. 1, 2026. (SIP/Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology via AP)
US-China trade war

Trump unveils US$12 billion push to curb China’s grip on critical minerals

The initiative, dubbed Project Vault, aims to create a commercial stockpile to shield US manufacturers from supply shocks and price swings.

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Project Vault would serve as a commercial “shock absorber”, marking the first civilian-scale US strategic reserve for critical minerals. Photo: Handout
Mainland China

Video | Shanghai residents cash in as gold prices surge

Record-high prices are being fuelled by geopolitical uncertainties.

China stock market

China halts trading in 5 silver and oil funds amid volatility

The trading halts and alerts aim to ‘maintain the stability of the capital markets’ and protect investors from ‘huge losses’, analyst says.

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Gold in Hong Kong

Runaway gold: why even Wall Street can’t keep up with the metal’s record ascent

Some Chinese funds halt subscriptions as uncertainty fuels volatility in the metals market, while Hong Kong’s first gold exchange-traded fund surges on its debut.

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Gold’s current price represents a historic gain of more than 20 per cent in the first four weeks of the year. Photo: Shutterstock
Banking & finance

China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks US$1 billion scandal as trading platform collapses

Chinese platform JWR faced a liquidity crisis as investors rushed to cash in on surging gold prices, leaving customers billions of yuan out of pocket.

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US-China trade war

Why Greenland’s rare earth riches cannot end US dependence on China’s minerals

Danish territory boasts vast critical mineral deposits – but mining and processing them extremely challenging, analyst says.

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Banking & finance

Gold surges as Trump calls weak dollar ‘great’

The US president’s support for a weaker dollar has helped fuel gold’s gains this year, along with purchases by central banks and retail investors, including in China.

People queue outside a Hong Kong gold dealer. (Photo: AFP)
China-Latin America relations

China’s CMOC makes US$1 billion Brazil gold push as bullion jumps on rising global risks

Company gains three Brazilian mines as gold tops US$5,000 per ounce, highlighting Beijing’s resource push amid US-led geopolitical strains.

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The Aurizona mine is an open-pit gold operation located near Godofredo Viana in Maranhao, Brazil. Photo: Handout
Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s top gold miner buys Canada’s Allied Gold for US$4 billion as ties thaw

Acquisition follows Canadian leader Carney’s visit to China after years of diplomatic and investment friction.

Gold in Hong Kong

Explainer | Why Hong Kong’s gold ambitions run through Shanghai

As Hong Kong and Shanghai deepen cooperation in the gold market, officials are hailing the agreement as ‘the dawn of a new chapter’.

Central banks

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

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Analysts expect the price of gold to continue climbing this year, building on a safe-haven surge. Photo: AFP
China food security

Rooted in resilience: how China’s seed push has planted agricultural ‘chips’

Domestic varieties claiming bigger market shares for key crops and livestock, curbing reliance on foreign sources for vital food production.

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Vegetable seedlings are examined at a greenhouse in China’s Shandong province. Chinese authorities say considerable advances have been made in the domestic seed industry over the last few years. Photo: Getty Images
United States

Opinion | From Venezuela to Greenland, Trump is using US power to rewrite the rules

What troubles many is the inconsistency emanating from Washington. When power underwrites rules, principles become negotiable.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ new gas find fuels energy diversification hopes

With gas supply at a current well set to run out by 2027, potential new sources could help avert an energy crisis in Luzon.

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