China announces work plan to open up service sector, support telecom, data, and gaming industries

On Monday, China’s State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce a new Work Plan aimed at expanding the opening-up of the service sector. Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce of China, stated that the Work Plan includes several pilot measures in the telecommunications sector, such as the removal of foreign ownership restrictions on app store and internet access services. It also aims to encourage the development of the data labeling industry, improvement of the data trading market system, and the growth of new business models such as “data outsourcing processing.” Additionally, the Work Plan looks to support the global expansion of China’s gaming industry by promoting the entire value chain—from IP creation and game development to publishing and overseas operations. [The Paper, in Chinese]