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Asia Gold-Safe-haven buying props up China demand; activity still muted in India

Physical gold need in top customer China firmed today as a depreciating yuan and growing stress in the Middle East stimulated safehaven purchasing, while raised costs kept activity muted in India.

China need is still strong in spite of higher rates and we anticipate this pattern to continue as traders are stressed over continued currency devaluation and increased geopolitical concerns, Joseph Stefans, Group Head of Trading at MKS PAMP stated.

China's yuan weakened to a five-month low against the dollar, pushed by reports of an Israeli attack on Iran that sparked rising safe house bets.

Dealerships in China charged premiums of $30-$ 50 per ounce << XAU-CN-PREM > over criteria prices, the same from last week variety.

Physical demand still strong (in China). People still have interest, still want to buy some gold as a safe haven, even the small investor, stated Peter Fung, head of dealing at Wing Fung Rare-earth Elements in Hong Kong.

On the other hand, Indian dealers offered discount rates of as much as $15 an ounce over main domestic costs - inclusive of 15% import and 3% sales levies, versus recently's $17 discount rate.

Due to tape costs, jewellery need is minimal. Those who still need to buy jewellery are mostly choosing exchanges of old jewellery for brand-new, stated a Chennai based jeweller.

In India, the world's second-largest gold consumer and a. major importer, domestic prices rose to a record 73,958 rupees. per 10 grams last week.

Supply conditions were a bit tight today as flooding in. Dubai disrupted the circulation of gold from that country, stated a. Mumbai-based dealership with a personal bullion importing bank.

However, due to weak Indian demand, the marketplace experienced. very little impact, he added.

In Singapore, bullion was cost in between par to $2.50. premiums << XAU-SG-PREM >, while dealers charged premiums. << XAU-HK-PREM > of $0.5 to $2 in Hong Kong.

In Japan, dealerships offered gold << XAU-TK-PREM > at $0.5-$ 1. premiums.