China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM, 商务部) said on 13 October 2026 that services trade reached RMB 5.07016 trillion in January–August, up 7.9 percent year on year. Services exports grew 14.8 percent, led by transport and travel. In this article, we look at exports and imports, travel and transport, and knowledge-intensive services.
Services exports rose 14.8 percent while imports rose 3.8 percent
According to the head of MOFCOM’s Department of Trade in Services (服贸司), as published by MOFCOM, exports totalled RMB 1.99961 trillion and imports RMB 3.07055 trillion in January–August 2026.
The services trade deficit was RMB 1.07094 trillion. That was RMB 145.12 billion smaller than a year earlier.
| Item | Value | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Total services trade | RMB 5.07016 trillion | +7.9% |
| Services exports | RMB 1.99961 trillion | +14.8% |
| Services imports | RMB 3.07055 trillion | +3.8% |
| Services trade deficit | RMB 1.07094 trillion | Narrowed by RMB 145.12 billion |
| Travel services exports | RMB 275.17 billion | +15.3% |
| Transport services exports | RMB 420.26 billion | +28.2% |
| Knowledge-intensive services trade | RMB 2.2314 trillion | +6.6% |
| Knowledge-intensive services exports | RMB 1.07447 trillion | +10.9% |
| Knowledge-intensive services imports | RMB 1.15693 trillion | +2.8% |
January-August 2026, year on year · Source: MOFCOM, 13 October 2026
View as table
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Total services trade | 7.9% |
| Services exports | 14.8% |
| Transport services exports | 28.2% |
| Travel services exports | 15.3% |
| Knowledge-intensive services exports | 10.9% |
| Services imports | 3.8% |
| Knowledge-intensive services imports | 2.8% |
Travel and transport accounted for nearly 50 percent of export growth
Travel services exports reached RMB 275.17 billion, up 15.3 percent, and transport services exports RMB 420.26 billion, up 28.2 percent, MOFCOM said.
Travel contributed 14.1 percent of the growth in total services exports and transport 35.8 percent. MOFCOM described the combined contribution as nearly 50 percent. The release gives no figure for travel services imports.
Knowledge-intensive services made up 53.7 percent of services exports
Knowledge-intensive services trade totalled RMB 2.2314 trillion, up 6.6 percent and 44 percent of all services trade. Exports in the category reached RMB 1.07447 trillion, up 10.9 percent, or 53.7 percent of services exports.
Within these exports, personal, cultural and recreational services grew fastest, by 66 percent, followed by financial services at 21.6 percent. Knowledge-intensive imports were RMB 1.15693 trillion, up 2.8 percent and 37.7 percent of services imports.
January-August 2026 · Source: MOFCOM, 13 October 2026
View as table
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| All services exports | 1,999.61RMB billion |
| Knowledge-intensive services exports | 1,074.47RMB billion |
| Transport services exports | 420.26RMB billion |
| Travel services exports | 275.17RMB billion |
Basis: cumulative RMB values, year-on-year changes
- Period: January–August 2026, cumulative.
- Currency: renminbi, as stated in the source (人民币，下同).
- Growth rates are year on year; the deficit change is given as an amount.
- Contribution rates (贡献率) are shares of the growth in total services exports.
- The release was issued by the MOFCOM press office; it names no other compiling body.
Not disclosed in the source
- Travel services imports and their change.
- Services trade by country or region.
- Figures for August alone.
- A breakdown of travel services exports, such as lodging, food or shopping.
- The value of personal, cultural and recreational services exports.
