13/09/04 BEIJING (Dow Jones)--China imported 12.5 million metric tonsof soybeans from January to August this year, down 15.1% on year, XinhuaNews Agency reported Monday, citing customs figures.Imports of edible oils totaled 4.49 million tons in the first eightmonths, up 43.4% on year, the report said.The report didn't give any explanation for the fall in soybean importsor rise in vegetable oil imports, but said China's demand for rawmaterials is rising.