CHINA TO OPEN UP SERVICES SECTOR

China is pushing forward with plans to open up its economy to foreign service suppliers in a move that will have significant ramifications for global trade liberalisation discussions, The Australian Financial Review.

According to the newspaper, top-level trade negotiators from China have told representatives from other nations they will make "a substantial offer" on services trade next month, bypassing the long-running stalemate over agriculture and manufacturing exports.

The move is a departure from other large nations which have not backed discussions on a Trade In Services Agreement (TISA).

Regional trade discussions are set to dominate the Asia-Pacific ­Economic Co-operation (APEC) group leaders' summit in Bali this week.