China's service trade volume went down 6 percent year on year to $286.8 billion in 2009, said the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in a statement on April 29. Of the total, exports dived 12.2 percent to $128.6 billion while imports were $158.2 billion, a minimum increase of 0.1 percent. The trade deficit came in at $29.6 billion, 1.6 times more than that of 2008.

More specifically, foreign trade in transportation and insurance services witnessed a sharp drop, but that of tourism, finance and information services defied the downturn to see a substantial run-up.

With the global business climate warming up, the country is geared for a10-percent growth in its service trade in 2010, said the ministry.

The world economy is retracing some of its lost strength, putting a solid floor under the transportation sector. Meanwhile, tourism services are also poised for success with the help of the Shanghai World Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games, said the MOFCOM.

But meeting the target will not be without difficulties. Much progress still needs to be made in China to increase the level of services and gain an international competitive edge, said the ministry.