China imported 56.5 million tons of iron ore in July - the highest monthly level this year, up 35 percent year-on-year. Dealers are said to be the major contributor to the surging imports. Of 297 million tons of iron ore imported into China in the first half, 166 million tons went to steelmakers, up 9.65 percent, while 131 million tons were bought by dealers, up 903.43 percent. With the revival of the steel market, real demand will increasingly become a possible factor behind the booming iron ore imports.