BEIJING – The value of China's exports of electronics devices reached $24.1 billion year-to-date through May, up 73.9% year-over-year. Exports of electronic materials hit $2.1 billion, up 60.2% compared to the same period last year. Components grew 53.1% to $28.5 billion, and computer products went up 41.4% to $79.6 billion. Communication gear for the period went up 19.4% to $34.3 billion.

The value of China's imports of electronics and IT devices from January to May 2010 was $155 billion, up 49.1% year-over-year. Exports of electronics and IT devices for the period were $212.6 billion, up 39% year-over-year.

Laptops, cellphones and LCD display panels and modules ranked as the top three exports by value in the first five months. Laptops reached $33.8 billion, up 58.7% year-over-year. Cellphones hit $16 billion, up 23.3% compared to the same period in 2009, and LCD display panels and modules were $10.3 billion, up 79.7% year-over-year.

Imports of computer products, electronic components and electronic devices jumped 56.8%, 56.7%, and 50%, respectively.

Export in general trade maintained robust growth during the period. Private-owned firms continued to lead export growth in the first five months.

Exports grew 58.7% year-over-year in the Shandong province; exports were up 51.3% in the Jiangsu province; in the Zhejiang province, exports were up 53%, and in the Shanghai municipality, they grew 46.3%. The Chongqing municipality saw growth of 138.4%, while export growth in Hubei province was 119.5%; finally, Hunan province registered growth of 104.9% compared to the first five months of 2009.

SMYRNA, GA – Registration is now open for PCB West, the premier conference and exhibition for PCB assembly engineers, designers, fabricators and managers.

SAN JOSE, CA – The US market for electronic warfare systems is projected to exceed $1.4 billion by 2015, says Global Industry Analysts Inc.

The US is expected to upgrade its aging fleet of combat helicopter and tactical combat-aircraft, which would automatically increase the demand for advanced EW self-protection devices.

Since systems upgrades and modernization programs are less expensive than overall platform replacement, technological advancements are expected to play a key role for enhancing existing systems, according to GIA.

The US defense electronics market is projected to increase significantly, with defense electronics projects and extensive R&D programs expected to be the key drivers.

The industry is forecast to witness huge orders, owing to increasing focus of militaries on EW around the globe. Defense equipment manufacturers are expected to produce thousands of EW systems, such as electronic countermeasure systems, electronic support measure systems, and radar warning receivers. The production rate is expected to rise significantly over a period of 10 years, driven by the increased demand from military forces and the increasing danger across the global waterways.

SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors in May were $24.7 billion, up 47.6% year-over-year, and up 4.5% sequentially.