Gold imports to mainland China from Hong Kong totaled 115 mt in May, up 68% month on month to the highest level since December, data from the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong government showed Tuesday.

The figure was up 63% year on year from 70.7 mt in May 2015.

Gold bar imports in India, the world's second-largest consumer after China, jumped 46% in May to around 50 mt, while Turkey saw gold imports surge 155% during the month to around 8 mt.

Gold exports from Switzerland, the world's largest exporter, rose 20% in May.