China's May net gold imports via Hong Kong tumble more than 50% vs April

Net imports via Hong Kong to China, the world's top consumer of the metal, decreased to 21.733 tonnes in May from 43.837 tonnes in April, according to data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department.

The slump in gold imports reflected restrictions placed on import quotas for banks, a bullion trader based in Shanghai said.

Total gold imports via Hong Kong fell 48% to 25.329 tonnes last month from 48.687 tonnes in April.