November 9 -- China recorded a six-fold year-on-year surge in gold imports to 56.9 tons in September, a figure equivalent to half the amount imported for the whole of 2010, reports yicai.com, citing the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Monthly gold imports in 2010 and the first half of 2011 had averaged 10 tons.

Gold imports surged from July to September, with imports from Hong Kong during the three months hitting 140 tons, exceeding the 120 tons imported last year.

According to the report, there are no official gold import figures from China, and data from Hong Kong, acting as the sole agent for all Chinese gold imports, are perceived to be reliable by industry insiders.

A number of analysts said the strong gold demand will last till year end, as buyers are stocking up on gold.

Shares of Zhongjin Gold (600489.SH) were up 0.75 percent to trade at 22.98 yuan per share at 9:52 today.