BEIJING - The value of China's foreign service trade hit an all-time high of $713 billion in 2015, up 14.6 percent year on year.

The deficit in foreign service trade last year came in at $137 billion, according to a Ministry of Commerce official.

The official claimed an better structure was helped by growth in exports of electronics, professional management and consultation as well as advertising .

China's cabinet is accelerating development of trade in services, gradually opening up the finance, education, culture and medical treatment sectors.