Analysts point to delays in the reporting of economic data due to the US government shutdown as one reason for the rise.

As Goldman Sachs predicts gold will hit US$4,000 an ounce, a nuanced picture emerges on the ground in China, revealing a complex relationship with the precious metal.

The precious metal rallied as much as 2.2% to top $3,970 an ounce in the week’s opening session.