China Indexes Flatlined, Gold and Silver Jumped to New Record Highs A

Barry Adams
14 Oct, 2025
Hong Kong

In China, stocks wavered amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., while precious metals advanced to new record highs.

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.1% as investors hoped that the U.S. and China will find common ground on tariffs and trade restrictions before the end of this month. 

Chinese goods are facing about 55% tariffs in the U.S., and overall levies could surge to as high as 145% if the two sides fail to finalize a trade deal in the next three weeks. 

Moreover, China has started sourcing soybeans and other agricultural products from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Australia, and Uganda and cut down its purchases from the U.S. by more than 90%. 

The Hang Seng Index is likely to extend its recent string of losses to the seventh day, as investors worry that the latest trade spat is likely to further dent China's trade with the U.S. 

In the nine months to September, China's exports to the U.S. have fallen by more than 33%, and Chinese manufacturers are developing markets in the ASEAN region, the European Union, Latin America, and Africa.  

Investors in Asia dumped the U.S.-dollar-denominated assets and shifted to gold, a safe-haven asset, amid lingering anxiety over a prolonged U.S. shutdown and a 25-basis-point rate cut later this month. 

Gold advanced 0.9% to $4,167.70 an ounce, and silver jumped 1.4% to $53.50 an ounce, and they reached new record highs amid rising trade tensions between the two largest economies of the world. 

 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.5% to 25,772.25, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index fell 0.1% to 4,590.64. 

Tech stocks wavered in Hong Kong trading as investors awaited the start of the earnings season later in the week. 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. dropped 2% to HK $159.30, Tencent Holding decreased 1.4% to HK $630.0, and Meituan fell 0.2% to $99.65.  

Pop Mart International Group dropped 2.4% to HK $267.20, Nongfu Spring Co. eased 0.1% to HK $53.95, and Zijin Mining Group declined 1.1% to HK $33.82.