TEHRAN -- Iran topped the oil exporters to China by exporting 5.578 million tons of crude to the world's most populous country during the first half of the current year.

The figure shows 3.27 percent increase compared to that of the previous year.

Iran's exports during the said period constituted 16.94 percent of China's 22.993 million tons total oil imports.

During the said period Saudi Arabia stood second by exporting 4.886 million tons of crude to China.

The kingdom's exports to China shows 18.33 percent increase compared to the figures for the same period the previous year.

Oman stood third by exporting 3.610 million tons of crude to China during the same period.