China's demand for gold bars and coins soared 30 percent year-on-year to 105.9 metric tons in the first quarter of this year, the fourth strongest quarter on record, according to a report released by the World Gold Council on Thursday.

The WGC said it expects China's demand for gold in 2017 to be between 900 tons and 1,000 tons. The world's second-biggest gold consumer India is expected to demand gold of 650 tons to 750 tons in 2017.