ChainThink report: Data shows that in May 2026, China's semiconductor export value surged 111% year-on-year to a record high of $36 billion; meanwhile, actual chip shipment volume grew only 2% year-on-year.

High-value chip prices have been driven up by surging demand for AI data center infrastructure, significantly boosting semiconductor export values. Concurrently, computer and component exports rose 66% year-on-year to approximately $27 billion, reaching the second-highest historical level.

Chips and computer components jointly contributed about half of China's total trade growth in May. In the same month, China's overall exports increased 19% year-on-year, imports rose 27% year-on-year, resulting in a trade surplus of $105.4 billion—the highest level since January 2026.