Opening up the service sector to the rest of the world

China's service trade has continued to grow over the past 10 years, with service-sector exports going from 12th in the global market in 2001 to fourth in 2010, especially in new services, thanks to China's membership in the World Trade Organization.

It had annual growth of 19.7 percent in the service sector, almost double the world average. The total for the service trade was $362.4 billion in 2010, compared to 2001's $71.9 billion, with exported services climbing from $32.9 billion to $170.2 billion and imported services from $39 billion to $192.2 billion.

In the 10-year-period, new services exports, including Internet information, consulting, and advertising, were up and showed good prospects for the future, as were those in culture, broadcasting, movies, education and traditional Chinese medicines.