China's imports of major commodities rise in Q1

China's imports of major commodities including iron ore and crude oil saw relatively fast growth in the first quarter of the year, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

The country's imports of crude oil climbed 5 percent year on year to 130 million tons during the period.

A total of 24.66 million tons of natural gas were imported during the period, up 1.8 percent from one year earlier. Imports of coal surged 28.4 percent to 95.78 million tons.

Iron ore imports during the January-March period went up 1.3 percent to 260 million tons. Soybean imports gained 6.2 percent year on year to 17.79 million tons.

Customs data showed China's foreign trade of goods fell 6.4 percent year on year to 6.57 trillion yuan (US$929 million) in Q1.