分类： business

China has achieved remarkable progress in securing its mineral resources and enhancing domestic supply, as highlighted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The nation has conducted comprehensive evaluations of 163 mineral resources with confirmed reserves, focusing on their quantity, distribution, and development status. Minister Guan Zhiou announced significant breakthroughs in the exploration of strategic resources such as oil, gas, copper, and lithium during a September news conference in Beijing. Additionally, China has established over 1,000 national-level green mines, underscoring its commitment to sustainable development. Vice-Minister Xu Dachun revealed that the discovery of 10 large oilfields and 19 large gas fields during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) marks a major milestone. The Ordos Basin in northwestern China has seen a substantial increase in proven geological reserves, exceeding 300 billion cubic meters of methane. China has also revitalized old resource bases, such as the Xiaoyi bauxite mine in Shanxi and the Jiaodong gold mine in Shandong, while new large resource bases for gold, phosphorus, and sylvite are emerging. The Dadonggou gold mine in Liaoning, with an estimated additional reserve of nearly 1,500 metric tons of gold, is poised to become a world-class mine. The newly discovered Asian Lithium Belt, spanning 2,800 kilometers across multiple provinces and autonomous regions, has revealed significant lithium deposits. China’s global lithium reserve share has surged from 6% in 2021 to 16.5%, elevating the country to the second position worldwide. The China Geological Survey (CGS) has identified over 20 million tons of new copper reserves, with potential resources estimated at 150 million tons, positioning the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as a world-class copper hub. Technological advancements have further improved resource utilization, including the efficient recovery of ultra-fine-grained ilmenite, increasing titanium recovery rates to over 40%. In the Panxi region of Sichuan, more than 87 million tons of titanium resources have been leveraged. CGS and the Hubei provincial government have also made strides in utilizing the superlarge niobium-rare earth deposit in northwestern Hubei, unlocking 929,000 tons of niobium.

Gold prices experienced a significant decline on Wednesday, reaching a near two-week low following their sharpest single-day drop in five years. Spot gold fell by 2% to $4,038.89 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped 1.3% to $4,055.40 per ounce. This downturn comes as investors take profits ahead of the highly anticipated U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which is expected to reveal core inflation held at 3.1% in September. The CPI report, delayed due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, is a critical indicator for future Federal Reserve rate decisions. Despite the recent dip, gold prices have surged 54% this year, driven by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, expectations of U.S. rate cuts, and strong inflows into ETFs. Analysts remain optimistic about gold’s long-term prospects, anticipating a rebound after the current correction. Meanwhile, other precious metals also saw mixed performance, with silver dropping 1.3% to $48.12 per ounce, platinum falling 0.3% to $1,547.09, and palladium rising 0.1% to $1,409.45.

The UAE Media Council has announced an extension to the registration deadline for the Advertiser Permit, a regulatory measure introduced in July 2025 to enhance transparency, professionalism, and consumer protection in digital advertising. Originally set to take effect later this month, the new deadline for registration is now January 31, 2026. This permit is mandatory for anyone sharing advertisements, whether paid or unpaid, on social media platforms, websites, or apps. The permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Failure to renew within 30 days of expiration will result in cancellation. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with exceptions for minors requiring a legal guardian to hold the activity licence. UAE citizens and residents must obtain a trade licence in electronic media, while visitors can secure the permit through a licensed agency within the country. This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to regulating the digital advertising landscape, ensuring ethical practices and safeguarding consumer interests.

The global green finance sector has seen significant investment, with nearly $2 trillion mobilized in 2024. However, experts at the 8th Sharjah Investment Forum 2025 highlighted that vast potential remains untapped. Creon Butler, Director of the Global Economy & Finance Programme at Chatham House, emphasized that a substantial portion of global finance is still not aligned with sustainability goals. He stressed the need for standardized taxonomies, pragmatic ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, and catalytic public capital to unlock sustainable finance, particularly in emerging markets.

At the World Investment Conference–Sharjah Investment Forum (WIC–SIF 2025), renowned economist Mohamed El-Erian highlighted Sharjah as a strategic investment hub, urging global investors to capitalize on its unique advantages. El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser at Allianz, emphasized Sharjah’s geopolitical stability, connectivity, and long-term vision as key factors that set it apart in a volatile global landscape. Speaking during a fireside chat, he suggested that sectors benefiting from logistics, innovation, and global trade flows should be prioritized. El-Erian described Sharjah as a ‘hidden gem,’ urging policymakers to enhance its global narrative and showcase its potential. He also addressed global financial risks, including the U.S.’s potential to disrupt the global system, the dual-edged nature of AI, and fiscal stability concerns in advanced economies. Additionally, he highlighted India’s economic rise as a significant opportunity for investors, citing its dynamic population and rapid growth. El-Erian concluded by stressing the importance of responsible financial governance and smarter risk frameworks in navigating the current economic transition.

In an era where financial literacy is increasingly emphasized globally, particularly in the UAE, the gap between understanding financial principles and applying them effectively remains significant. Despite extensive educational programs on budgeting, saving, and investing, many individuals still struggle with financial anxiety and inconsistency. The missing link, according to experts, lies in the concept of financial identity—the inner narrative that shapes how individuals perceive and interact with money. Financial identity is deeply influenced by family, culture, and personal experiences, and it determines whether financial knowledge translates into actionable behavior. For instance, someone who views themselves as financially careless is unlikely to change their habits simply by learning about compound interest. Conversely, those who see themselves as intentional decision-makers naturally align their financial actions with their values. Traditional financial education focuses on imparting knowledge, but the next evolution must address who individuals are in relation to money. When financial identity is strong, habits like budgeting, saving, and investing become expressions of self rather than acts of discipline. Financial wellbeing, therefore, is not merely about income or assets but about coherence between one’s financial actions and personal values. This alignment fosters stability and confidence, which raw knowledge alone cannot achieve. Money is inherently emotional, moral, and social, reflecting what individuals value and how they define security and freedom. A strong financial identity enables individuals to navigate these complexities with purpose, even under pressure. When identity is weak or conflicted, individuals experience internal friction, oscillating between saving and splurging. The key to transforming financial literacy into wellbeing lies in integrating knowledge with a robust sense of self. Financial literacy provides the tools, but financial identity provides the will to use them wisely. Together, they create a sense of financial wellbeing that goes beyond the absence of debt or the presence of savings—it is a quiet confidence that one’s financial life aligns with their values and purpose. As the global conversation on financial education evolves, the focus must shift from financial knowledge to financial self-knowledge. True wellbeing begins when individuals stop defining money by numbers and start defining it by identity.