强化创新提升服务贸易国际竞争力

Core Insights - The State Administration of Foreign Exchange reported that in August, China's goods and services trade reached 42,818 billion yuan, a 2% year-on-year increase, with service trade exports at 2,546 billion yuan and imports at 3,675 billion yuan, resulting in a deficit of 1,129 billion yuan [1] - The development of service trade and service consumption is crucial for stabilizing foreign trade and expanding domestic demand, emphasizing the need for innovation and enhancing the international competitiveness of traditional service industries [1] - Knowledge-intensive service trade, characterized by high added value and technology content, is becoming a key driver for optimizing service trade structure and stabilizing foreign trade, with imports and exports reaching 15,025.4 billion yuan in the first half of the year, a 6% increase [2] Service Trade Development - The service trade sector is expanding and optimizing, driven by digital technology advancements, with knowledge-intensive services accounting for nearly 40% of total service trade [2] - High growth rates in telecommunications, computer, and information services exports, which increased by 12.7% in the first half of the year, reflect the robust development of China's digital economy [2] - Cultural service products such as film, gaming, and design are gaining international recognition, contributing significantly to knowledge-intensive service exports [2] Challenges in Service Trade - Despite growth, challenges remain, including insufficient innovation factor supply, fragmented core technology R&D investment, and a lack of a comprehensive industrial ecosystem to support the deep development of knowledge-intensive service trade [3] - The proportion of knowledge-intensive service trade is rising but still lags behind the global average, indicating a need to strengthen international competitiveness in high-value-added sectors [3] Recommendations for Service Trade Innovation - Continuous promotion of service trade innovation is essential, focusing on enhancing digital infrastructure and core technology innovation to support service trade development [4] - Expanding new business models and service trade formats, such as digital and green service trade, is crucial for fostering innovation and integrating industry chains [4] - Optimizing the regulatory environment and policy framework for service trade, including implementing a negative list for cross-border service trade, will facilitate further opening in sectors like telecommunications, education, and finance [4] Rule Enhancement and Financial Innovation - There is a need to deepen service trade rules, particularly in digital and green service trade, and to actively participate in the formulation of high-standard international trade rules [5] - Establishing a robust cross-border financial service system and developing diverse financial products will create convenience for knowledge-intensive service imports and exports [5]