AsianFin -- China will relax market access in high-end healthcare and leisure tourism while scrapping restrictive measures to spur services consumption, Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said on Wednesday. The remarks came a day after multiple ministries unveiled new policies to strengthen domestic demand.

The new package, released Tuesday, includes 19 initiatives across five areas designed to cultivate fresh growth drivers in the services sector.

Sheng said the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), together with other agencies, will adopt a dual approach of “opening up externally and relaxing internally.” Fiscal and financial tools will be deployed to optimize service supply and unlock new consumption potential, he added.

As part of the plan, China will expand high-level opening in services by adding more industries to the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment. The country will also promote the introduction of major international sporting events, according to Sheng.