China's exports expanded 23.9 per cent year on year in July in US dollar terms, beating a 22.2 per cent forecast, as global demand for AI infrastructure drove semiconductor shipments that almost doubled, customs data showed on Aug 7.

Semiconductor exports nearly doubled in value, while overall high-tech product exports grew 40.7 per cent. Imports rose 27.5 per cent, in line with expectations. The trade surplus narrowed to US$112.5 billion from US$125.62 billion in June, though remains on track to exceed US$1 trillion for a second consecutive year, The Straits Times reports.