Opening up of service sector vital to China, world

Li Yang, a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, suggested that regulation-making, improvement of the business environment, and supervision are critical issues in further opening up the sector.

"Unlike other sectors, the service sector is intangible, thus may bring unprecedented challenges to supervision," Li said.

Executives from home and abroad are positive about China's further opening up in the service sector and expect more opportunities, as Richard Zhang, equity partner and head of Great China, Apax Partners, said the company is delighted at seeing China's further opening up in the service sector.

He suggested China accelerate the pace of the move, as competition between capital inbound and outbound may promote the upgrading of the service sector. "Predictable and transparent supervision is welcomed," he added.

Fifty percent of world trade is in services, and the opening up of China's service sector brings major opportunities to the world, said David Cruickshank, global chairman of Deloitte, adding that "Competition makes existing enterprises stronger."

"We need good partners and advisors here and we'd like to have partnerships with private and public companies," said Oliver Bate, CEO of Allianz SE, adding that his company prefers clear and consistent guidance from the government.

According to Fred Hu, chairman of Primavera Capital Group, China's service industry is facing a golden opportunity for development in the next 10 to 20 years. Hu suggested the government loosen restrictions and allow more private capital to enter the market and provide good service to the Chinese people. "Fair competition will boost the efficiency and vitality of China's service sector," he added.