China Discovers Asia’s Largest Undersea Gold Deposit

Chinese authorities have officially announced the discovery of one of the largest undersea gold deposits in Asia near the country’s eastern coastline, according to the South China Morning Post.

The newly identified deposit is located in the offshore area of the Jiaodong Peninsula in Shandong Province. This marks the first undersea gold deposit ever discovered in China’s history.

Although the exact size of the deposit has not yet been disclosed, official data indicate that it can be considered the largest undersea gold reserve in Asia. Following the discovery, Shandong Province’s total gold reserves have exceeded 3,900 tonnes, accounting for about 26% of China’s known gold reserves.

As a result, Shandong has strengthened its position not only as a major gold hub in China but also as one of the key gold centers in Asia. Experts say the discovery could play a decisive role in China’s long-term strategy on precious metals.

In recent years, China has significantly increased investment in mineral exploration. Since 2021, around 450 billion yuan has been allocated to geological exploration projects, aimed at expanding natural resource reserves and reducing dependence on imports.

The undersea gold find is seen as part of a series of major discoveries in recent years. Earlier, a land-based gold deposit exceeding 1,400 tonnes was found in northeastern China, marking the country’s largest single gold discovery since 1949.

Experts note that the economic feasibility of developing undersea gold deposits has yet to be fully determined. However, amid rising global demand and prices for gold, the discovery is viewed as a major turning point for China’s economic potential and strategic resource security. The Chinese government has described the find as a “significant milestone” in the country’s mineral resource policy.