Chapter 6.12: Professional Services

Li Yong, Deputy Secretary General, China Association of International Trade

Overview

The liberation of the practice of professional services is an integral part of China's effort to open up its service sector to foreign participation. Before China's accession to the WTO, professional services were open to foreign service providers in varying degrees and with different levels of restrictions. The accession to the WTO has clarified the scenario of professional services opening, reflected in China's commitments to the WTO. These commitments were made with reference to international practices and the unique conditions that apply to China in the professional service area. The WTO definition of professional services includes the following services:

• Legal services

• Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services

• Tax services

• Architectural services

• Engineering services

• Integrated engineering services

• Urban planning services (except general urban planning)

• Medical and dental services

The specific commitments with regard to the above professional services are as follows :