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 a 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.