China's service trade rises 8.7%, knowledge-intensive sectors sustain growth

by Zhai Ruimin

China’s service trade posted robust growth in the first quarter of 2025, with total imports and exports reaching 1.97 trillion yuan, up 8.7 per cent from a year earlier, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.

Exports rose 12.2 per cent to 835.15 billion yuan, while imports climbed 6.2 per cent to 1.139 trillion yuan. The service trade deficit narrowed by 24.46 billion yuan year on year.

Knowledge-intensive services maintained steady growth, with trade rising 2.6 per cent year on year to 752.49 billion yuan. Other commercial services and telecommunications, computer and information services led the segment, with trade volumes of 320.5 billion yuan and 262.3 billion yuan, up 0.8 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively. Knowledge-intensive service exports rose 2.1 per cent to 436.34 billion yuan, while imports increased 3.4 per cent to 316.15 billion yuan.

Experts said knowledge-intensive services have become a major pillar supporting the expansion of China’s service trade.

Travel services posted the fastest growth, with total trade jumping 21.8 per cent to 584.9 billion yuan, making it the largest service trade category. Exports surged 97.5 per cent, while imports rose 14.9 per cent.

China’s service trade has expanded rapidly in recent years, with its global ranking holding steady at second place. Analysts say the sector is undergoing a shift from quantity-driven to quality-driven growth, as high-value-added services account for a rising share.

Zhang Lei, a researcher at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, told Wenhui Daily that cross-border service flows are becoming a defining feature of globalization. For developing economies, expanding access to service markets is now critical for upgrading and transformation.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Commerce said it would push forward policies outlined by the State Council to promote high-quality development in service trade. Plans include implementing a national negative list for cross-border services, aligning with high-standard international rules, and building pilot zones for service trade innovation.