China Pushes Digital Services and Lower Trade Barriers at Beijing Summit

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for lowering barriers to cross-border factor mobility and leveraging artificial intelligence to expand global services trade during the 2026 Global Trade in Services Summit in Beijing on September 9. Addressing approximately 800 delegates, Ding presented a three-point proposal emphasizing high-quality sector modernization, inclusive market opening, and digital empowerment. Ding also held separate diplomatic meetings with the vice president of Zimbabwe and the deputy prime minister of Bulgaria to discuss bilateral cooperation.

As structural shifts and geopolitical friction reshape international commerce, trade in services has become a critical engine for economic resilience and industrial upgrading. Ding's address signals China's intent to position itself as a facilitator of digital trade and cross-border connectivity. For international firms, Beijing's stated emphasis on lowering factor-flow restrictions and sharing digital technologies outlines the broader policy environment governing foreign services and data-related operations in China.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Global Trade in Services Summit in Beijing on September 9, calling for deeper international cooperation and reduced obstacles to cross-border commerce, according to official state media reports. Ding, who sits on the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, stated that trade in services plays an increasingly central role in driving global economic expansion and structural modernization. Speaking before an audience of approximately 800 Chinese and foreign delegates, Ding underscored China's intent to broaden high-level opening and align with international standards. To navigate the restructuring of global trade, Ding outlined three policy priorities for international stakeholders. First, he advocated advancing the high-quality development of the services sector to support economic and social progress through improved innovation and operational efficiency. Second, he called for inclusive growth, urging nations to reduce barriers hindering the cross-border movement of productive factors and to steadily raise trade facilitation levels. Third, he emphasized digital and intelligent enablement, specifically encouraging the sharing of artificial intelligence technologies and the expansion of digital infrastructure connectivity. The summit was jointly organized by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, the Ministry of Commerce, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Beijing Party Secretary Yin Li addressed the gathering, alongside remarks delivered either in person or via video by international leaders, including Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Bulgaria Deputy Prime Minister Plev, and senior representatives from UNCTAD, WIPO, and the World Trade Organization. Following the opening session, Ding toured the exhibition halls of the China International Fair for Trade in Services and met with participating enterprise representatives. On the afternoon of September 9, Ding held separate bilateral talks with Chiwenga and Plev. During the meetings, Ding expressed China's willingness to deepen strategic trust, respect core mutual interests, and deliver tangible cooperation outcomes across key industries to support shared modernization efforts. The visiting foreign dignitaries expressed interest in expanding practical bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.