Chinese Chip Exports Surge 111% YoY in May to Record $36B on AI Demand

China's semiconductor exports hit a record $36 billion in May, up 111% year-over-year—the largest annual increase in 13 years, according to data cited by The Kobeissi Letter. The surge was largely price-driven, as chip export volumes rose only 2% over the same period, with global shortages from AI data center buildout pushing semiconductor prices sharply higher.

Outbound shipments of computers and parts rose 66% YoY to approximately $27 billion, the second-largest on record. Together, chips and computers contributed roughly half of China's total export and import growth in May. Overall exports climbed 19% YoY, while imports soared 27% YoY, resulting in a trade surplus of $105.4 billion—the largest since January. These figures underscore how AI infrastructure spending is reshaping China's economy.