China's oil imports soared by 17.6 percent in the first half of this year, propelled by a surging economy, the government said Thursday.

Net crude oil imports totaled 492 million barrels, the Xinhua News Agency said, citing figures released by the General Administration of Customs. It said imports of refined products rose 48.3 percent to 84 million barrels.

China is the world's third-largest oil importer, after the United States and Japan.

Chinese imports have soared in recent years.