Gold has always been a symbol of fortune, but was also a form of currency until the 1970s.

In 1976, the Jamaica Agreement, an international agreement among all countries, caused gold to cease as a form of currency.

Gold is still used commercially and financially. Gold can be made into jewelry and artwork and sold to people. As a financial investment product, gold is not consumed but is put into banks or homes and can achieve appreciation through supply and demand in the market.

In addition, gold reserves can also be used to fight against inflation.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, gold had been managed by the government and individuals were not allowed to trade gold in the market. In 2003, a much more open policy in the gold market was adopted. Registered gold production and operation companies were able to buy and sell gold freely in the market. After that, individuals began to invest in gold as well.

Currently, there are three kinds of gold transactions: gold commodities, paper gold and e-gold.

Gold commodities include bullion, for instance.

Paper gold transactions include gold futures, options, stocks or funds.

E-gold transactions are completed electronically, usually using the web interface. A computer user, for instance, may send a tiny amount of gold to another user account instantly anywhere in the world. However, E-gold transactions are not available in China yet.