China’s AI-driven demand is reshaping its economy. In May, semiconductor exports jumped 111% year‑on‑year to a record $36 billion, the biggest annual rise in 13 years. Computer and component shipments rose 66% to about $27 billion, the second‑highest level on record. The surge reflects higher prices rather than volume, as chip export volumes grew only 2% while global shortages tied to AI data‑center expansion pushed prices up. Together, chips and computers accounted for roughly half of China’s total trade growth in May. Overall exports rose 19% and imports 27%, widening the trade surplus to $105.4 billion, the largest since January.