Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of reducing the negative lists for service trade to promote institutional openness and enhance the potential of service trade in China, with a projected total service trade import and export volume exceeding 7.5 trillion yuan in 2024, marking a 14.4% year-on-year growth and crossing the $1 trillion mark for the first time [1][2]. Group 1: Service Trade Negative Lists - The three main negative lists for service trade include the Market Access Negative List (2025 version), the Foreign Investment Access Negative List (2024 version), and the Cross-Border Service Trade Negative List (2024 version) [2]. - The number of items in the Market Access Negative List has been reduced from 117 in 2022 to 106, while the Foreign Investment Access Negative List has decreased from 31 to 29 restrictions, achieving a "zero" breakthrough in manufacturing sector openness to foreign investment [3]. - The Cross-Border Service Negative List currently has 71 items in the national version and 68 in the free trade zone version, indicating a continuous reduction in restrictions and a signal of reform in key service industries such as finance, healthcare, and the internet [3]. Group 2: Two-List Connection - The exploration of the "two-list connection" aims to unify the Market Access Negative List and the Foreign Investment Access Negative List, creating a single access list for foreign investment, which will streamline the approval process and reduce compliance costs for foreign enterprises [4]. - This connection is expected to enhance market transparency, stability, and fair competition, aligning with international high-standard trade agreements such as the CPTPP and DEPA [4][5]. Group 3: Role of Free Trade Zones - Free trade zones, such as those in Shanghai and Hainan, are positioned as experimental grounds for institutional innovation, allowing for the gradual relaxation of market access restrictions in key service sectors [5]. - The implementation of national treatment for foreign enterprises is crucial for ensuring that they not only enter the market but also thrive and develop sustainably [5]. Group 4: Optimization of Cross-Border Service Trade - The optimization of the Cross-Border Service Negative List is seen as a critical breakthrough for institutional openness in service trade, with plans to further reduce restrictions on cross-border provision, overseas consumption, and the movement of natural persons [7]. - The upcoming regulations allowing foreign personnel to stay for 30 days in designated business cooperation zones represent a significant step in easing restrictions on natural person movement [7]. Group 5: Future Directions - There is a proposal to align the Cross-Border Service Negative List with the other two lists, potentially leading to a "three-list integration" that would create a unified management system for all market participants [8]. - The gradual transition from "three lists in parallel" to "two lists connection" and eventually to "three lists integration" reflects China's commitment to advancing institutional openness and enhancing the international competitiveness of its service sector [8].