China's exports surged 36.3 percent in September from a year earlier, new data showed on Wednesday, putting the nation on track to exceed last year's record trade surplus. The new data from the General Administration of Customs exceeded expectations, and easily outstripped the 25-percent growth in August. High-tech goods such as semiconductors and autos have helped fuel rising shipments overseas. September's growth was the fastest since February this year when exports expanded 39.6 percent. Imports climbed 31 percent in September year-on-year, accelerating from August’s 28.2 percent rise. That resulted in a US$133.5 billion trade surplus last month, widening from US$119.1 billion in August. Exports to the United States jumped in September, weeks after the two countries' leaders met in Washington. Shipments to the world's biggest economy jumped 39.6 percent to US$47.9 billion last month, surpassing August's US$42.5 billion. For the first nine months, China’s trade surplus reached US$938 billion, with expectations growing that it could surpass last year’s full-year US$1.2 trillion record. With the global build-out of AI infrastructure showing little sign of slowing, analysts expect demand for Chinese-made technology products, including semiconductors, to remain robust. (Agencies) Edited by Cecil Wong