China's May Exports Beat Forecasts, Driven by AI and Global Demand
China's exports in May grew 19.4% year-on-year, exceeding expectations, driven by the AI industry boom and rising energy prices. Exports of semiconductors and automatic data processing equipment surged, and exports to the US also recovered.
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 11:57
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 12:16 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 12:17 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Reporter Zhang Shuling, Beijing, 11th) China's exports in May grew 19.4% year-on-year, surpassing market expectations. Analysis indicates that the high growth was concentrated in high-end manufacturing sectors, driven by the AI industry's growth, energy price shocks, and price increases. The increase in exports to the US is also linked to tariff reductions and order replenishment by US importers.
The General Administration of Customs of China reported on the 9th that, in USD terms, China's goods trade exports grew by 19.4% in May, while imports grew by 27.4%.
Financial magazine, citing research reports from multiple securities firms, reported that the sustained expansion of the global economy, the high growth of the AI industry, the accelerated export of new energy-related products under the energy price shock, and price increase factors all supported the export growth rate in May. This trend is not unique to China; South Korea's export growth rate in May reached 53.2%, and Vietnam's export growth was 18.5%.
Looking at the distribution of export products, the characteristic of high growth being concentrated in high-end manufacturing sectors remains unchanged. Driven by the AI industry trend, exports of integrated circuits surged 110.9% year-on-year in May, and automatic data processing equipment exports grew by 66.1%, both hitting new highs for the year. Automobile exports grew by 39.3% year-on-year, remaining in a high-growth range. Lithium batteries represent another high-growth area, with cumulative growth of 47.5% in the first four months.
One securities firm report noted that the year-on-year growth rate of China's exports to the US rose further from 11.3% in April to 35.4% in May. This is partly due to a low base in the same period last year, and partly because of factors such as US importers' concentrated inventory replenishment and the return of some orders following the reduction in US tariff rates. In May, the year-on-year growth rate of China's exports to the EU fell from 13.4% in April to 7.6%, but it remains at a relatively high level.
The report states that, based on the views of multiple market institutions, China's export growth rate is expected to maintain strong resilience through 2026. The main reasons are threefold: First, the global investment boom in AI infrastructure continues unabated. Second, the impact of high oil prices on exports may have a lagging effect, and price increases will support export growth and promote the growth of new energy exports. Third, the easing of Sino-US economic and trade relations will also help stabilize external demand. (Editor: Zhou Huiying) 1150611
The General Administration of Customs of China reported on the 9th that, in USD terms, China's goods trade exports grew by 19.4% in May, while imports grew by 27.4%.
Financial magazine, citing research reports from multiple securities firms, reported that the sustained expansion of the global economy, the high growth of the AI industry, the accelerated export of new energy-related products under the energy price shock, and price increase factors all supported the export growth rate in May. This trend is not unique to China; South Korea's export growth rate in May reached 53.2%, and Vietnam's export growth was 18.5%.
Looking at the distribution of export products, the characteristic of high growth being concentrated in high-end manufacturing sectors remains unchanged. Driven by the AI industry trend, exports of integrated circuits surged 110.9% year-on-year in May, and automatic data processing equipment exports grew by 66.1%, both hitting new highs for the year. Automobile exports grew by 39.3% year-on-year, remaining in a high-growth range. Lithium batteries represent another high-growth area, with cumulative growth of 47.5% in the first four months.
One securities firm report noted that the year-on-year growth rate of China's exports to the US rose further from 11.3% in April to 35.4% in May. This is partly due to a low base in the same period last year, and partly because of factors such as US importers' concentrated inventory replenishment and the return of some orders following the reduction in US tariff rates. In May, the year-on-year growth rate of China's exports to the EU fell from 13.4% in April to 7.6%, but it remains at a relatively high level.
The report states that, based on the views of multiple market institutions, China's export growth rate is expected to maintain strong resilience through 2026. The main reasons are threefold: First, the global investment boom in AI infrastructure continues unabated. Second, the impact of high oil prices on exports may have a lagging effect, and price increases will support export growth and promote the growth of new energy exports. Third, the easing of Sino-US economic and trade relations will also help stabilize external demand. (Editor: Zhou Huiying) 1150611
FAQ
What was China's export growth rate in May?
It was 19.4% year-on-year in USD terms.
What were the main drivers of export growth?
AI industry growth, rising energy prices, and global economic expansion.
Which product categories saw the strongest growth?
Integrated circuits (110.9% increase) and automatic data processing equipment (66.1% increase).