China’s services sector continues to demonstrate strong growth momentum. According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce, the country’s total services trade increased by 4.9% year-on-year in the first four months of 2026, reaching 2.49 trillion yuan, equivalent to approximately $364.6 billion.
One of the key growth drivers was the tourism sector. Exports of tourism-related services recorded the fastest growth among all service categories, rising by more than 30% to 147.15 billion yuan. This trend reflects the continued recovery of international tourism and China’s growing attractiveness as a destination for overseas travelers.
Knowledge-intensive services also made a significant contribution to the sector’s expansion. Their trade volume grew by 5.1% year-on-year to more than 1 trillion yuan, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total services trade. Particularly strong growth was recorded in cultural and entertainment services, as well as intellectual property-related services.
Another important growth factor was the transportation sector. Imports of transportation services increased by nearly 25%, making it the fastest-growing segment among the major categories of service imports. Experts note that the development of tourism, logistics, and other high-tech services is strengthening China’s position in the global services market while supporting the continued growth of the national economy.
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