BEIJING — China's meat imports surged during the first two months of the year to cope with rising domestic demand, official data showed.

Meat imports soared 69.6 percent year-on-year to 1.25 million metric tons during the first two months, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

Imports of pork and pork entrails skyrocketed 98.2 percent from a year earlier to 720,000 tons.

China approved 997 new meat companies from the start of the year to March 24, including 450 pork firms, data also showed.

China is the world's largest consumer of pork. The domestic demand for pork is particularly strong during the first two months as the Spring Festival usually falls in the period.