China's Exports Soared to Record High In May, Trade Surplus Widened

Li Chen
09 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong

China's indexes traded mixed on Tuesday as investors reviewed the better-than-expected international trade data. 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged higher 0.8% as China's exports growth accelerated in May despite tensions in the Middle East. 

 

China's International Trade Surplus Expanded In May

China's annual export growth accelerated to 19.4% to $376.8 billion, higher than 14% in the previous month, according to the General Administration of Customs. 

Businesses continued to build inventories amid price pressures and tight supply conditions, and direct shipments to the U.S. decreased 2.7% from a year ago. 

Exports to the ASEAN region, the largest market for Chinese products, increased 7.6%, to the EU 24.3%, and soared by 35% to the U.S. 

By industry, steel shipments decreased 8.1%, integrated circuits by 8.7%, fertilizers by 19.1%, and pharmaceuticals by 7.6%.

Exports for the first five months to May soared 15.5% to $1.71 trillion, as persistent demand for AI-related electronic products and semiconductors supported growth.

in the period, exports to the ASEAN region, the largest market for Chinese products, increased 20.3%, to the EU 16.4%, to South Korea 28.5%, to Japan 7.1%, and to Hong Kong 45.5%. 

China's imports advanced by 27.4% to $271.4 billion in May, accelerating from a 25.3% increase in the previous month, the customs agency report showed. 

Imports rose for the 12th consecutive month, boosted by solid domestic demand despite rising cost pressures from supply chain disruptions and elevated energy costs due to war in the Middle East.

Over the five-month period to May, imports surged 24.5% to $1.3 trillion, supported by the rise in receipts from the ASEAN by 21%, the EU by 8.6%, South Korea by 56.5%, Japan by 27.8%, and Hong Kong by a whopping 173.2%. 

Purchases of semiconductors advanced 11.5%, integrated circuits by 52.1%, and copper ore by 36.7%, but natural gas declined by 10.1%. 

China's trade surplus widened to $105.4 billion in May from $102.7 billion in the same period a year ago, as both exports and imports surged, marking the largest monthly gap since January. 

China recorded a trade surplus of $84.8 billion in April, and shipments swelled by the rising demand for global AI infrastructure buildout and renewable energy products.  

China's direct trade surplus with the U.S. advanced to $20.6 billion, and for the first five months of 2026, the overall trade surplus expanded to $451.7 billion, down from $472 billion the same period a year ago.

 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.2% to 24,608.47, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.8% to 24,608.47. 

Tech stocks rebounded from the previous session, tracking the global rebound in semiconductor and AI-related stocks. 

Eoptolink Technology increased 3.2%, Zhongji Innolight increased 2%, and NAURA Technology gained 3.6%.

PetroChina gained 2.2%, Sinopec Oilfield Services dropped 5%, and China Petroleum and Chemical decreased 0.6%.