China’s service exports are growing quickly and reshaping how people and businesses interact across borders. Travel and transportation are the two biggest engines driving this growth. More tourists are visiting China, and more Chinese services are reaching customers abroad. Visitors are coming not just for sightseeing but for unique experiences like cultural tours, technology showcases, and even rocket launches. A traveler from Poland who once toured Europe now explores Henan, while American companies test drone-delivered milk tea and driverless taxis in Shenzhen. In Shanghai, international visitors are drawn to custom fashion experiences, showing how diverse these offerings have become.

Visa-free entry has made this expansion even faster. Nearly eight out of ten foreigners who entered China between January and August did so without needing a visa, which is a big jump compared to last year. The number of countries eligible for the 240-hour transit visa-free policy has grown to 57, and tourists are now exploring destinations beyond the usual port cities. Orders from European customers to China rose sharply this summer, and some cities saw foreign tourist arrivals increase more than six times compared to before.

Spending by overseas visitors has also surged. From January to July, travel service exports grew by almost 28 percent compared to last year, with foreign spending in China reaching 263.6 billion yuan. Every meal, hotel stay, and purchase of trendy Guochao products counts as part of this growth, making travel services the fastest-growing category among the top five service exports.

Transportation services are also booming. Exports in this sector grew by more than 27 percent year-on-year, fueled by busy trade in goods. One example is a domestically produced LNG dual-fuel ship that delivered over 5,400 new energy vehicles to Europe, with freight charges counted as transportation service exports. Overall, China’s goods trade imports and exports grew by more than 17 percent, showing its strength as both a major seller and buyer in the global market.

Visa-free policies, cultural tourism, technology-driven experiences, and strong transportation services are opening new doors for cooperation. As Chinese services expand globally, they create opportunities that go beyond business, encouraging mutual benefit and shared prosperity.