Bauhinia Interview: “The Golden Age Has Arrived” – An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Haywood Cheung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Gold Exchange (HKGX)

“The golden age of gold has arrived,” declared Dr. Haywood Cheung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Gold Exchange (HKGX), in an exclusive interview with Bauhinia magazine. January 1, 2026, marked the first anniversary of HKGX's official operations. In the weeks that followed, the international gold market reached a historic milestone: spot gold prices repeatedly shattered previous records, surpassing $5,000 per ounce on January 26 (with HKGX's RMB-denominated kilogram bar price reaching RMB 1,134.15 per gram). Goldman Sachs subsequently revised its year-end gold price target upward from $4,900 to $5,400 per ounce.

Amid escalating global geopolitical tensions, persistent inflationary pressures, and ongoing restructuring of the international monetary system, gold's role as a premier safe-haven asset has never been more pronounced. Leveraging its robust foundation and innovative capabilities, Hong Kong is capitalizing on this pivotal moment to accelerate its emergence as a leading international gold trading hub.

Hong Kong's Century-Long Legacy in Gold Trading

Although HKGX was established only a year ago, its roots trace back over a century to its predecessor, the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society, founded in 1910. For decades, the Central and Sheung Wan districts have been home to a dense network of gold shops, money changers, and banks—earning Hong Kong the adage that “banks outnumbered rice shops.” By the 1980s, the city had solidified its position as one of the world's four premier gold trading centers.

As Dr. Cheung emphasized, this enduring legacy forms the bedrock of Hong Kong's gold trading ecosystem: “The century-long accumulation of expertise, reputation, mature systems, and extensive delivery experience—built by the Hong Kong Gold Exchange and its predecessor—has always underpinned Hong Kong's strengths in this sector.”

Recent initiatives to elevate Hong Kong as an international gold trading center are not abrupt developments but rather a strategic evolution aligned with contemporary global dynamics. Dr. Cheung highlighted that, “Supported by this historical foundation, an established international reputation, robust operational frameworks, and proactive government policies in recent years, Hong Kong is well-positioned to consolidate and rapidly strengthen its status as a global gold trading hub.”

Socrue : BAU
(Chinese Only – English Version translate by AI)