China recorded a trade surplus of $105.43 billion in May, well above the consensus forecast of $88.70 billion and up from April's $84.80 billion.
Exports rose 19.4% year‑on‑year, beating the expected 15% increase, reflecting robust overseas demand despite ongoing disruptions from the Middle East (Gulf) conflict.
Imports surged 27.4% year‑on‑year, exceeding the 25% forecast, driven by heightened domestic demand for semiconductors and artificial‑intelligence infrastructure.
South Korea, a key supplier of semiconductors and AI‑linked goods, posted a sharp rise in its May exports, contributing to China's import growth.
Analysts note that the front‑loading of export orders amid geopolitical uncertainty could lead to a future slowdown if the Gulf war persists.
