In a rapidly changing world where global economics and technology are increasingly intertwined, daily events vividly reflect the deep transformations shaping different sectors. The September 2 news report comprehensively examines three key issues that illustrate the shifting dynamics in global economics, technology, and international politics.

These events—gold hitting a new record high, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call for AI cooperation, and Amazon’s significant investment in New Zealand—represent more than just daily headlines. They are indicators of profound structural changes in the global system, as nations and major corporations compete to shape the future of economics and technology.

Key Highlights:

Gold hits a new record high, surpassing $3,500 per ounce.
Xi Jinping calls for stronger AI cooperation during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.
Amazon announces a NZ$7.5 billion (US$4.4 billion) investment in data centers in New Zealand.

Gold Surpasses $3,500/oz to Set a New Record:

Gold prices soared to a new record high during early Asian trading on Monday, supported by growing expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month, as well as rising concerns over the future and independence of the central bank.

Spot gold rose 0.9% to $3,508.73/oz, surpassing the previous peak set in April. The precious metal has gained over 30% year-to-date, making it one of the best-performing commodities in global markets.

Analysts see breaking the $3,500 barrier as historically significant, suggesting that sustained closes above this level could pave the way for further gains. Geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over economic policies add to gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset.

Xi Jinping Calls for AI Cooperation at SCO Summit

During Monday’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence, rejecting what he termed a “Cold War mentality.”

Xi revealed that China has invested approximately $84 billion in SCO member states and pledged to support 10,000 students to join Beijing’s Luban vocational training program. He highlighted the summit as an opportunity to launch a new stage of shared development and strategic cooperation.

Xi also announced initiatives to create platforms for cooperation in new energy, green industries, and the digital economy, as well as plans for innovation centers and higher education hubs.

Over 20 leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended the summit, which resulted in approving a development roadmap through 2035 and establishing the SCO’s dedicated development bank.

Amazon to Invest NZ$7.5B in New Zealand Data Centers

Amazon has announced plans to invest over NZ$7.5 billion (US$4.4 billion) to build new data centers in New Zealand, marking a significant expansion in the Asia-Pacific region to meet growing demand for cloud services.

In a statement from Wellington, the company said this investment will support over 1,000 full-time jobs annually and add NZ$10.8 billion to the country’s GDP. The new region will allow clients such as Xero and Kiwibank to store data locally and deliver lower-latency digital services, helping accelerate the development of new cloud-based products.

New Zealand, which entered a deep recession last year, seeks to attract more foreign investment through reforms to planning laws and visa processes.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, speaking at the launch event in Auckland, noted that construction costs in New Zealand are 20% higher than in Australia and emphasized the need for regulatory reform. He said the plan had been announced about four years ago but that today marks the official start of this “crucially important” investment for the national economy.

Summary

The world is undergoing an unprecedented period of transformation: gold’s record-breaking rally highlights economic uncertainty, China’s push for AI cooperation emphasizes integration over competition, and Amazon’s massive investment in New Zealand underlines the strategic role of digital infrastructure in the modern economy.

Daily News Report – September 2

Related Topics