Zhejiang cities chart paths for service sector development

A giant panda eats bamboo as a birthday cake for Ajie and Yajun is displayed during their 11th birthday celebration at Ningbo Wildlife Park in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Aug 29, 2026. [Photo/IC]

Cities across Zhejiang province are stepping up efforts to promote high-quality development of the service sector, with plans tailored to local strengths.

At a provincial conference in late June, Zhejiang called for faster efforts to build the province into a powerhouse in modern services.

Hangzhou is focusing on producer services. By 2030, it aims to increase service-sector value added to more than 2 trillion yuan ($297.38 billion), with producer services accounting for over 60 percent of service-sector value added.

Quzhou is targeting 16 priority areas, including pilot-scale testing, logistics, carbon accounts, and food-related initiatives, pursuing a specialized path based on local strengths.

Zhoushan is building on its maritime advantages. A recently issued service-sector plan includes measures involving postal and express delivery services, while logistics and trade development will focus on low-altitude and maritime services.

Shaoxing is promoting closer integration between manufacturing and services, with an emphasis on manufacturing-oriented services such as digital and intelligent services, science and technology services, and modern finance.

Ningbo, included in China's comprehensive pilot program for wider service-sector opening-up in 2025, has 113 pilot tasks covering shipping services, bulk commodity trading, and cross-border data flows.

Industry experts say deeper integration between manufacturing and services will be key to greater specialization and higher-end services.