Business · 1h ago
China's chip exports surge 96% to $177B in H1 2026 on AI demand
China's chip exports nearly doubled year-on-year to $177 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by soaring memory prices and global AI hardware demand. The Chinese customs administration attributed the 96% increase to AI-related chip needs. Memory price hikes significantly inflated the export value.
Meridian48 take
The eye-popping growth is as much about price inflation as volume, raising questions about sustainability and whether China's chip industry is truly competitive beyond memory.
Read the full reporting
China claims chip exports nearly doubled to $177 billion in the first half of 2026 as memory prices surged — 96% year-on-year increase inflated by hikes →
Tom's Hardware
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