Foreigners seeking medical treatment, lawyers from Hong Kong and Macau and holidaymakers cruising on their own yachts will have easier entry to China under Beijing’s plan to open up its “service trade”, as the country comes under pressure to open up its economy.

As part of a two-year “pilot plan” from July 1, the central government is allowing 16 Chinese cities from Beijing to Shenzhen, and the tropical island province of Hainan to come up with their own ways to attract foreign business in fields from banking to tourism.

In a statement on Friday, the State Council, China’s cabinet, said the aim of the changes – including 144-hour transit visas at all Guangdong ports and a new type of medical treatment visa – was to increase service exports.

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