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The Ministry of Commerce data released this week placed China’s services trade at 5.29 trillion yuan for the first nine months of the year, reflecting an 8.5 percent increase from the same period a year earlier. Exports rose 9.5 percent to 2.46 trillion yuan while imports advanced 7.7 percent to 2.83 trillion yuan, resulting in a narrowed deficit. The performance comes as the country continues to integrate its services sector more deeply into global supply chains following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
A ministry assessment found that knowledge-intensive services such as information and communications technology posted faster growth than the overall figure, accounting for a rising share of total trade. Travel services also contributed materially to the expansion as international tourism flows recovered, according to the same official breakdown. These categories together illustrate the shift toward higher-value activities within China’s services economy.
The National Bureau of Statistics separately reported that services value added grew 4.7 percent in the first three quarters, contributing 53.9 percent of overall GDP growth and underscoring the sector’s central role in the national economy. This domestic momentum has provided a foundation for the trade gains by expanding capacity in areas such as digital services and logistics. Public Authority for Statistics data further shows the services production index maintained positive momentum through September.
According to a related analysis from People’s Daily Online, travel services trade jumped significantly in a comparable recent period, benefiting from eased visa policies and restored international flights that facilitated inbound tourism. The ministry’s latest release aligns with that trend by highlighting travel as a leading growth driver within services. Such recovery has helped offset slower areas and supported employment in tourism-dependent regions.
World Bank reports on global trade patterns have noted that services have grown faster than merchandise trade in many emerging markets since 2022, a dynamic that has benefited China through expanded digital and professional services exports. The ministry’s figures place China among the leading participants in this shift, with its services trade now representing a larger portion of total foreign commerce. Continued policy emphasis on opening services sectors is expected to sustain this trajectory.
The Emirates News Agency, citing the ministry, indicated that the January-September results point to resilience despite external headwinds such as uneven global demand. Officials noted that full-year services trade could exceed prior records if current trends hold through the final quarter. This outlook is supported by ongoing efforts to streamline cross-border services regulations and promote innovation in key subsectors.
