Briefly

Service outsourcing industry expands

China's service outsourcing industry posted a steady expansion in the first eight months of this year, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed on Monday. Chinese firms signed service outsourcing contracts worth about 1.228 trillion yuan ($189.1 billion) in the January-August period, up 12.5 percent year-on-year.

Non-cash payments grow 8% in Q2

Non-cash payments handled by Chinese banks continued stable expansion in the second quarter of the year, with electronic payments sustaining growth momentum, a central bank report said. The People's Bank of China said non-cash payments via bank cards, electronic payment vehicles, commercial paper, credit transfers and other settlements reached 1,165.73 trillion yuan ($166.72 trillion) in the period, up nearly 8 percent year-on-year.

Xinhua