Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Promoting High Quality Development of Service Trade through High Level Opening up
Guo Ban Fa [2024] No. 44
To the people's governments of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, as well as all ministries and departments of the State Council and their directly affiliated institutions:
Service trade is an important part of international trade and an important field of international economic and trade cooperation, and plays an important role in building a new development pattern. Accelerating the development of service trade is an inevitable requirement for expanding high-level opening up and cultivating new momentum for foreign trade development. In order to innovate and enhance service trade, promote the high-quality development of service trade with high-level opening up, and accelerate the construction of a trade power, with the consent of the State Council, the following opinions are hereby put forward.
1、 Overall requirements
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, and strive to promote high-quality development. Coordinate development and security, promote inclusive development with service opening, promote linkage integration with service cooperation, cultivate development momentum with service innovation, and create a better future with service sharing, accelerate the digitalization, intelligence, and greening of service trade, promote the growth of service trade in scale, structural optimization, efficiency improvement, and strength enhancement, and make greater contributions to building a new system of a higher-level open economy and solidly promoting Chinese-style modernization.
2. promotes institutional openness in service trade
(I) establish and improve the cross-border trade in services negative list management system. Fully implement the negative list of cross-border trade in services, establish a corresponding management system, and manage cross-border trade in services outside the negative list in accordance with the principle of consistent treatment of domestic and foreign services and service providers. We will strengthen the convergence of administrative examination and approval, licensing, filing and other matters with the negative list of cross-border trade in services, and timely adjust laws, regulations and normative documents that are inconsistent with the negative list. We will enhance the management capacity of negative lists, strengthen the supervision of key industries, and optimize the supervision of cross-border flows of capital, technology, personnel, data and other factors. We will establish risk assessment, early warning, prevention and control mechanisms for major opening-up initiatives in the field of trade in services, and strengthen risk monitoring in key and sensitive areas. Research and build a national cross-border service trade information platform that is compatible with negative list management, and strengthen inter-departmental information sharing.
(II) play the leading role of the opening-up platform. Expand independent opening up, in-depth exploration of "top-down" and "bottom-up" opening paths, give full play to the opening-up and stress testing role of the free trade pilot zone and Hainan Free Trade Port, and steadily promote the gradient opening of cross-border service trade across the country. Build a national service trade innovation and development demonstration zone, increase exploration in cross-border service trade market access, improve cross-border service trade supervision, establish risk management and monitoring and early warning mechanisms, and create a comprehensive service trade reform and opening platform and high Quality development highland.
(III) strengthen the rules of docking and regulatory coordination. High-quality implementation of the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" (RCEP) and other regional economic and trade arrangements in the service trade opening commitments and related rules, take the initiative to connect with the "Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership" (CPTPP) and other international high-standard economic and trade rules, deepen the reform of domestic trade in services. With reference to the World Trade Organization's "Reference Document on Domestic Regulation of Trade in Services", standardize licensing, qualifications and technical standards in the service sector, simplify licensing approval procedures, improve the transparency of regulatory policies, and reduce the cost of cross-border service trade. Research on the certification of service providers.
(IV) improve the standardization of trade in services. Implement the action plan for the standardization of trade in services and accelerate the formulation of standards in the field of trade in services. Carry out the internationalization of service trade standards and encourage the adoption of internationally accepted standards in areas where conditions permit.
3. promotes cross-border flow of resource elements
(V) facilitate the cross-border flow of professionals. To facilitate the entry and exit of managerial personnel, technical personnel and their accompanying family members of enterprises with foreign investment. Provide entry and exit facilities such as visa and residence permit for foreign high-level talents and their scientific research assistants to invest and start businesses, work, give lectures, and economic and trade exchanges in China. Smooth channels for foreign high-level talents to start businesses in China, and allow overseas professionals to obtain domestic vocational qualifications and employment opportunities in specific open fields in accordance with relevant requirements. Support qualified places to establish and improve the list of overseas vocational qualification certificates, and expand the pilot project of international mutual recognition of vocational qualifications.
(VI) optimize the management of cross-border financial flows. We will improve foreign exchange management measures, explore hierarchical management based on enterprise credit, and improve the convenience of foreign exchange business for trade in services and foreign investment in the service sector. Expand the cross-border use of RMB in the field of service trade, and support the development of RMB cross-border trade financing and refinancing business.
(VII) promote the trading and application of technological achievements. We will improve the management and promotion system of technology trade, create a docking platform for innovative resources, expand international technical cooperation networks, promote the international operation of intellectual property rights, and facilitate the cross-border transfer of technology in R & D centers. Standardize exploration to promote the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements through the securitization of intellectual property rights and scientific and technological insurance. Commercial banks are encouraged to adopt financing methods such as pledges of intellectual property rights and pledges of expected returns to promote the transformation and trading of technological achievements.
(VIII) promote the efficient and secure flow of data across borders. Open special channels for international Internet data in areas where conditions permit. We will support the establishment of an efficient, convenient and secure cross-border data flow mechanism within the framework of the national security management system for cross-border data transmission, efficiently carry out outbound security assessments of important data and personal information, and optimize the digital development environment for trade in services.
4. Promote Innovation and Development in Key Areas
(IX) enhance the capacity of international transport services. Support domestic shipping enterprises to open up new routes and improve the international shipping service network. Promote the digitalization of shipping trade and expand the application of electronic cargo release and electronic bill of lading in the field of port shipping. Optimize the layout of international air transport and strengthen the support of the international air cargo network to the supply chain of the industrial chain. Further improve the efficiency of the allocation of international passenger traffic rights and time resources, and strengthen the supply and demand connection between air capacity and inbound and outbound tourism. Build an international logistics service system to improve the level of cross-border delivery services and the ability to integrate international supply chains.
(X) enhance the international competitiveness of travel services. Actively develop inbound tourism, optimize visa and customs clearance policies, and improve visa facilitation. Improve the convenience of foreigners and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to use electronic payment, as well as to book tickets for scenic spots and purchase car (ship) tickets with valid documents, and provide diversified payment services for overseas tourists in public places such as hotels, tourist attractions, and supermarkets. Implement policies and measures to facilitate the accommodation of foreigners in China.
(11) Support the development of trade in professional services. We will expand the export of characteristic services, promote the agglomeration and development of trade in services such as intellectual property rights, geographic information and human resources, and support professional service institutions such as finance, consulting, design, certification and accreditation, law, mediation, arbitration, accounting, language, supply chain and standardization to enhance their international service capabilities and cultivate new growth points of service trade. We will develop trade in agricultural services and promote the export of agricultural materials, agricultural machinery and agricultural technology. Accelerate the development of trade in education services, expand cooperation with world-renowned universities, and carry out high-level cooperation in running schools in China. Accelerate the high-end development of service outsourcing, vigorously develop biomedical R & D outsourcing and digital manufacturing outsourcing, support new service outsourcing models such as cloud outsourcing and platform subcontracting, and further promote the employment of key groups such as college graduates.
(12) Encourage the export of traditional superior services. We will further improve policies and measures to support the high-quality development of cultural trade. Promote the export of sports services such as Chinese martial arts and Go. Promote the healthy development of Chinese medicine service trade, and actively develop "Internet Chinese medicine service trade". We will support well-known catering enterprises such as Chinese time-honored brands to carry out international operation of Chinese food brands and enhance the international influence of Chinese catering culture. Actively use digital technology, artificial intelligence and other innovative service supply to enhance the international competitiveness of the service industry.
(13) Promote the integrated development of trade in services and trade in goods. Optimize the bonded supervision model, and support all regions to rely on the comprehensive bonded zone to carry out "two ends outside" research and development, testing, maintenance, cultural relics and cultural art storage and display business. Promote the integrated development of service trade and high-end manufacturing, and introduce detailed special policies and measures in the fields of biomedicine, aircraft, automobiles, and construction machinery to support manufacturing enterprises to provide internationally competitive professional and comprehensive services.
(14) Expand the import of quality services. Revise the catalogue of services encouraged to be imported and expand imports of productive services that are urgently needed domestically. Focus on the consumption upgrade needs of residents, and promote the import of high-quality living services such as health care, culture and entertainment. Introduce international boutique events in areas where conditions permit, hold foreign-related film screenings and exchange and cooperation activities, further enrich market supply, and promote the quality development of the life service industry.
(15) to help green low-carbon development. We will vigorously develop green technology and green service trade, and study and formulate a guiding catalogue for the import and export of green services. We will encourage the import of technologies and services urgently needed in China, such as energy conservation and carbon reduction, environmental protection and ecological management, and expand the export of green energy-saving technologies and services. Strengthen international cooperation in green technology and build a platform for inter-enterprise cooperation.
5. expand international market layout
(16) Deepening international cooperation in trade in services. Implement the Global Partner Network Program for Trade in Services, consolidate key partners, and actively explore emerging markets. Strengthen cooperation in service trade and digital trade with countries that jointly build the "Belt and Road", further expand cooperation areas under mechanisms such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and expand multilateral, bilateral and regional cooperation in service trade. We will guide the development of local resource advantages and support the construction of international cooperation parks for trade in services in regions where conditions permit.
(17) Establish and improve the service trade promotion system. Encourage all regions to establish and improve mechanisms to promote the development of trade in services. Strengthen the capacity building of intermediary organizations for trade in services, give full play to the role of overseas agencies, improve the overseas trade promotion network, and improve the level of overseas services. We will improve the organizational functions for the prevention and settlement of international commercial disputes, and improve the overseas intellectual property rights protection assistance mechanism. Support conditional urban construction of legal service centers and international commercial arbitration centers. Give full play to the role of important exhibition platforms such as the China International Trade in Services Fair, continuously enhance the popularity and influence of the exhibition, promote the construction of a leading, distinctive, and scientifically developed service trade market-oriented exhibition pattern, and support enterprises to hold exhibitions abroad.
6. improve the support system
(18) Innovation support policies and measures. Make full use of the existing central and local funding channels and related funds such as the service trade innovation and development guidance fund to innovate support methods and promote the development of service trade. Broaden the financing channels for enterprises and encourage financial institutions to introduce financial services adapted to the characteristics of trade in services. Optimize export credit, use diversified financial instruments such as trade finance and equity investment to increase support for enterprises to explore the international service trade market. We will increase support for export credit insurance, expand the coverage of trade in services, appropriately optimize underwriting methods for qualified small and medium-sized enterprises, and improve the level of insurance service facilitation. Implement the existing relevant tax policies such as zero tax rate or exemption of value-added tax on service exports. Support colleges and universities to strengthen the construction of service trade-related disciplines, promote the construction of service trade think tanks, and strengthen the training of service trade professionals.
(19) Improve the level of statistical monitoring. Revise and improve the statistical monitoring system for international trade in services, and improve the full-caliber statistical methods for trade in services. We will promote inter-departmental data exchange and information sharing, and improve the statistical monitoring system for trade in services and the linkage system for key enterprises. Research on the establishment of a statistical database of trade in services to improve the level of public services for trade in services statistics.
(20) Strengthen regional cooperation in service trade. Give full play to the regional advantages of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and Chengdu-Chongqing Shuangcheng Economic Circle to build a public platform for the development of regional service trade. Enhance the leading role of the eastern region and cultivate a number of benchmark cities for service trade. We will support the construction of inland multi-level open platforms in the central, western and northeastern regions, and promote the innovative development of trade in services with advantageous characteristics. We will encourage the establishment of a cross-regional cooperation mechanism for trade in services to promote the efficient and rational flow of capital, talents, technology, data and other resource elements.
All regions and relevant departments must fully understand the importance of vigorously developing service trade from an overall and strategic perspective, rely on expanding opening up and innovation to stimulate new momentum for the development of service trade, and implement these opinions. All regions should take into account local conditions and actively cultivate industries with distinctive advantages in service trade. All relevant departments should strengthen coordination and cooperation, sort out and solve the problem of blocking points in the field of service trade, improve policies related to the development of service trade, and support the promotion of major reform issues. The Ministry of Commerce should strengthen overall planning and coordination, improve the working mechanism, ensure that various policies and measures are introduced in a timely manner and effective, and actively create an environment for the development of trade in services that expands opening up, encourages innovation, fair competition, and is standardized and orderly. Report on major matters to the Party Central Committee and the State Council in a timely manner.
General Office of the State Council
28 August 2024
(This article has been edited)
