By Hasan Muhammad

Editor's Note: The writer is a freelance columnist on international affairs based in Karachi, Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of China Economic Net.

China's latest measures to bolster services exports, announced this week by the Ministry of Commerce, come at a pivotal moment. As the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services wraps up in Beijing, these steps signal not just economic pragmatism but a deeper commitment to reshaping global trade dynamics. Services, after all, are the invisible threads that bind modern economies, from digital platforms to cultural exchanges, and China is positioning itself to weave them more tightly into the international fabric.

Consider the backdrop. Global services trade has been a bright spot amid sluggish recovery from the pandemic and escalating geopolitical frictions. In July alone, China's combined exports and imports of goods and services hit 4.4 trillion yuan, marking a four percent rise year on year, according to data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. This growth underscores how services are emerging as a resilient engine for high-quality development. Yet, challenges persist: protectionist barriers in the West, supply chain disruptions, and the digital divide that leaves many developing nations on the sidelines. Beijing's response is measured and multifaceted, focusing on thirteen targeted actions that prioritize accessibility, innovation, and inclusivity.

At the heart of these measures lies a push to harness new forms of services exports, particularly in digital realms, high-end design, research and development, and green technologies. Funding from central and local governments will channel resources into these areas, supporting everything from virtual reality experiences showcased at CIFTIS to consulting on energy conservation and waste recycling.

Efficiency is another cornerstone. Enterprises involved in services exports will benefit from streamlined tax rebate processes, powered by electronic platforms that cut through bureaucratic red tape. Export credit insurance will expand, offering a safety net for firms venturing into unfamiliar markets. These practical tweaks matter immensely for small and medium-sized businesses, which often bear the brunt of administrative hurdles. In a similar vein, visa policies are set for optimization, easing entry for personnel from foreign-invested enterprises, scientists, and high-caliber talent. China plans to widen its unilateral visa-free access to more countries, a gesture that echoes its openness during the Belt and Road Initiative's expansion.

Cross-border payments, too, receive attention. Banks are encouraged to expedite settlements for compliant companies, reducing friction in an era where digital transactions underpin everything from e-commerce to telemedicine. This builds on earlier efforts, like the September 16 guidelines to stimulate services consumption, which opened doors wider in sectors such as internet services, healthcare, and education. Together, these initiatives paint a picture of an economy that is not retreating into silos but actively courting global partnerships.

What makes this timely is the contrast with prevailing winds elsewhere. As the United States ramps up tariffs, threatening to bite into manufacturing and tech flows, China is doubling down on services as a buffer. Services now account for over half of global trade value, yet they remain under-regulated compared to goods, creating opportunities for agile players. Beijing's strategy aligns with its advocacy for a rules-based multilateral system, as reiterated by the Ministry of Commerce just days ago. It upholds the World Trade Organization's framework while advancing initiatives like the Global Development Initiative, which prioritizes equitable growth for emerging markets.

Remember the early days of WTO accession in 2001, when skeptics dismissed it as a one-way street favoring the West? Today, those same critics grapple with a China that has not only absorbed global norms but adapted them to foster mutual benefit. The services push extends this logic to intangibles: knowledge, culture, and sustainability. Take the green services angle. With climate pledges piling up at forums like COP30 later this year, China's expertise in resource recycling and environmental management could become a lifeline for nations in the Global South, many of whom lack the infrastructure to meet net-zero goals. This is not altruism; it is smart economics, turning domestic strengths into exportable solutions.