Storyline: China saw robust growth in the service sector in the first three quarters of 2025, with modern services playing a leading part and emerging services gaining fresh momentum, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). During the nine months, the service sector expanded 5.4 percent year on year, contributing 60.7 percent to China's overall economic growth and boosting GDP growth by 3.1 percentage points. The value-added in information transmission, software and IT services rose 11.2 percent in the nine months, while leasing and business services grew by 9.2 percent, according to the data. "As we advance the implementation of the 'artificial intelligence (AI) plus' initiative, the service industry is undergoing faster smart and digital transformation. Rapid growth have been maintained in sectors such as information transformation, software and IT services, leasing and business services, strategic emerging services, and high-tech services. Innovation vitality continues to be unleashed in the service sector," said Hong Qunlian, director of the Service Industry Research Office of the Institute of Industry at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)'s Academy of Macroeconomic Research. Retail sales of services climbed 5.2 percent year on year in the first nine months, 0.1 percentage point higher than that in the first eight months, and 0.6 percentage points higher than the growth of merchandise retail sales in the same period, according to the NBS. "An outstanding phenomenon is the growing popularity of 'service plus' models. For example, the 'film plus culture and tourism' combination, which covers dining, accommodation, transport and other services, is driving growth in service consumption. Centered on 'service plus,' the service sector is witnessing accelerated innovation in consumption scenarios and business models, helping to unleash the public demand for service consumption," said Zou Yunhan, deputy director of the Macroeconomic Research Office at the NDRC's State Information Center. Shotlist: FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown: 1. Consumers at shopping mall 2. Consumers at smart phone store 3. Consumers at drone store 4. Various of man experiencing virtual reality (VR) devices 5. Screen showing VR equipment 6. Various of machine operating 7. Various of people working with computers Beijing, China - Recent: 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Hong Qunlian, director, Service Industry Research Office, Institute of Industry, Academy of Macroeconomic Research (AMR), National Development and Reform Commission: "As we advance the implementation of the 'artificial intelligence (AI) plus' initiative, the service industry is undergoing faster smart and digital transformation. Rapid growth have been maintained in sectors such as information transformation, software and IT services, leasing and business services, strategic emerging services, and high-tech services. Innovation vitality continues to be unleashed in the service sector." FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown: 9. Various of people using AI application on transparent screen 10. Various of humanoid robot, robot dog Beijing, China - Recent: 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zou Yunhan, deputy director, Macroeconomic Research Office, State Information Center, National Development and Reform Commission (ending with shots 12-14): "An outstanding phenomenon is the growing popularity of 'service plus' models. For example, the 'film plus culture and tourism' combination, which covers dining, accommodation, transport and other services, is driving growth in service consumption. Centered on 'service plus,' the service sector is witnessing accelerated innovation in consumption scenarios and business models, helping to unleash the public demand for service consumption." FILE: Beijing, China - July 2025: 12. Various of moviegoers having tickets checked FILE: Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, east China - July 2025: 13. People watching movie FILE: Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, southwest China - July 2025: 14. Various of tourists taking photos FILE: Shanghai, China - July 5, 2025: 15. Various of roller coaster in LEGOLAND resort 16. Visitors at entrance. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]