SHANGHAI: China's net gold imports via Hong Kong jumped nearly 60% in September to their highest level in five months, data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department showed on Tuesday, as demand was bolstered by China Evergrande's crisis and a dip in prices.

Net gold imports via Hong Kong to China, the world's top consumer, stood at 34.786 tonnes in September compared with 21.804 tonnes in August, the data showed. Total gold imports via Hong Kong rose to 41.877 tonnes from 24.549 tonnes.