China became the world's largest gold consumer in 2013 after overtaking India. According to data provided by the China Gold Association, China consumed 117.6 metric tons of the precious metal in 2013, a 41 percent growth over the same period in 2012. China was also the world's largest gold producer for the seventh consecutive year in 2013.

PBOC clarifies rules on FTZ yuan business

Shanghai FTZ sees more liberalization

Despite the country's large consumption and production of gold, China's pricing power of the precious metal is yet to grow, and the FTZ's international board could well prove to be the catalyst for it, said market insiders and analysts.

"China has developed various tools and product categories for trading precious metals, but overseas investors were not well involved due to lack of proper channels," said Long Ling, futures analyst with the Shanghai-based Industrial Futures Co Ltd.

Gold trading in China is currently open to domestic investors and dominated by onshore renminbi. It is expected that trading volumes will pick up after trading begins at the FTZ and more international investors come in.

SGE is also building a vault in Shanghai that can stock up to 1,000 metric tons of precious metals within the FTZ.

Dai Haibo, deputy director of the FTZ administration committee said several exchanges will be set up within the pilot trading zone.

"China Foreign Exchange Trading System & National Interbank Funding Center, China Financial Futures Exchange, Shanghai Clearing House and Shanghai Equity Exchange are expected to start operations within the FTZ soon, and this will come in handy for the FTZ-registered and other international investors," said Dai.

These moves will also further China's financial market reforms and bolster trade, Dai said.

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