Summary
The 2026 Global Trade in Services Summit was held in Beijing on September 10. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered a keynote speech, putting forward three proposals: promoting high-quality development of the service industry, expanding new space for inclusive and mutually beneficial progress, and creating new engines through digital and intelligent empowerment. Yin Li, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC, delivered remarks.
Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Plev and the heads of UNCTAD and WIPO delivered speeches via video or in person. The summit was co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, the Ministry of Commerce, UNCTAD and WIPO, with about 800 people attending. On the afternoon of September 9, Ding met with Plev and Chiwenga, and toured the exhibition hall after the meeting.
Commentary
As one of China's three major platforms for opening up through exhibitions, the CIFTIS summit signalled an institutional opening-up of trade in services. If Ding Xuexiang's proposal to 'reduce barriers to the cross-border flow of factors' is implemented, it would be a potential boon for New Zealand SMEs that rely on professional services exports—education consulting, agricultural technology and software services among them could explore cross-border delivery models. Cross-border data flows and intellectual property protection, however, remain practical hurdles: China's digital regulation is tightening, and NZ SMEs need to assess compliance costs in advance.
Tourism and education account for a high share of New Zealand's services exports, but digital services have grown rapidly since the pandemic. Companies should pay attention to China's cooperation intentions in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, and look for joint development or remote service opportunities.
Keywords: Global Trade in Services Summit, Ding Xuexiang, trade in services, digital and intelligent empowerment, opening up and cooperation in services, high-standard opening up, Beijing, UNCTAD, World Intellectual Property Organization, Yin Li
Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand
Disclaimer: This article is compiled from publicly available sources for general information only. The analysis and commentary are editorial opinions. MiDeer Observer does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers should seek independent professional advice before relying on this content, or contact us for more information.
