BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- In the first half of the year, gold consumption in China reached 505.21 tonnes, down 3.54 percent year on year, data from the China Gold Association (CGA) revealed.

In breakdown, the consumption of gold jewelry in China stood at 199.83 tonnes, down 26 percent from a year earlier.

The consumption of gold coins and bars surged by 23.69 percent year on year to 264.24 tonnes in the first six months, the CGA said.

During the same period, gold consumption for industrial and other uses increased by 2.59 percent from a year earlier to 41.14 tonnes, according to the CGA. ■