Digital trade is set to receive further policy support. At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on September 7, Yan Dong, Vice‑Minister of Commerce, stated that China will vigorously develop foreign trade, support exports of digital services such as telemedicine, online education and cloud‑based office work, and foster new growth drivers for digital trade. Efforts will be made to expand digital‑content trade and promote fine traditional Chinese culture to reach the world through online literature, games, animations, films and television productions.

Digital trade has grown rapidly in recent years and emerged as a new trend and growth engine for trade. Statistics show that China’s total import and export volume of digitally‑deliverable services reached USD 432.31 billion in 2025, rising by 6.3 percent year‑on‑year.

As China strengthens its technological autonomy and innovation capacity in cloud computing, communications technology services and other sectors, its international competitiveness keeps improving in software R&D, information‑technology solution provision, cloud‑computing services and related fields. From 2020 to 2025, China’s import and export volume of telecommunications, computer and information services climbed steadily from USD 93.73 billion to USD 154.53 billion, representing an average annual growth rate of over 10 percent.

“Digital cultural products and services including online literature, online games, films and animations, and short‑video content have become new highlights of China’s service exports,” Yan Dong noted.

According to the 2025 China Game Industry Report, China’s self‑developed games generated actual overseas revenue of USD 20.46 billion in 2025, a year‑on‑year increase of 10.2 percent. The 2025 Blue Book of Chinese Online Literature, released by the Chinese Writers Association, indicates that by the end of 2025, more than 130,000 Chinese online‑literature works had been exported overseas in total. The platform boasts roughly 250 million registered overseas users, with active overseas users spanning over 200 countries and regions across the globe.

A number of globally influential Chinese cloud‑service providers, internet companies and digital‑solution suppliers are accelerating their global footprint, offering digital‑transformation services for enterprises worldwide. Players such as Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud are speeding up the construction of overseas cloud infrastructure, with business presence in multiple foreign countries and regions.

In August 2024, the General Offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the Opinions on the Reform, Innovation and Development of Digital Trade, which sets out development goals and key tasks for digital trade. Yan Dong said the Ministry of Commerce will work with relevant authorities to implement the document, support local governments in rolling out tailored policies and measures for digital‑trade growth, and build concerted momentum for its development.

He added that in expanding digital‑trade market entities, authorities will nurture leading digital‑trade enterprises with strong innovation capabilities and global competitiveness and back their international expansion. Small‑ and medium‑sized digital‑trade firms with high export orientation and distinctive competitive edges will be cultivated and encouraged to pursue specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative growth paths. The National Guidance Fund for Innovative Development of Trade in Services will play its leveraging role to channel social‑capital investment into digital‑trade‑related enterprises.

It is reported that the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, from September 23 to 27. As China’s only national‑level, international and professional expo themed on digital trade, it has cumulatively drawn more than 5,000 Chinese and foreign enterprises, 87,000 professional buyers and 627,000 visitors, with over 1,200 items making their global debut, premiere or first‑ever exhibition.

Source: Shanghai Securities News