Introduction The expanding and deepening participation of the economic sectors of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in global production networks, especially since the country’s joining the World Trade Organization, not only propelled its economic growth but also enabled it to become the largest trading nation by 2013, overtaking the United States. However, the PRC’s participation in the globalized production processes varied by sector and largely depended on the relevant relative factor endowment advantages. This discussion paper provides an overview of recent trends in global value chains (GVCs), particularly with respect to the changing role of the PRC’s economic sectors in the global economy. Key Findings More than 80% of the value-added in the PRC’s gross exports is domestically produced. Although the export intensity of the PRC and its role as a global assembly hub have moderated since 2008, domestic value chains of the PRC and high-tech sectors within the PRC continue to strengthen. As the fragmentation of production within the PRC deepened, domestic intermediate inputs have been replacing imported intermediate inputs, and indirect exports have become more important in the PRC. Exports of the manufacturing sector continue to remain important, especially those of the high-tech industries, though the deepening of domestic value chains varies by sector. The importance of the textile sector in the PRC’s exports (measured by the sector’s domestic value added as share of the gross domestic product) has declined, while that of the electrical and optical equipment sector has risen. Indicators of comparative advantage of the textile sector also continued to decline, but remains higher than high-tech sectors, which have continuously risen, suggesting that the PRC is moving up to more sophisticated value chains. GVC indicators also suggest that the PRC is moving to higher positions in various global value chains that its sectors are participating in. Insights Indirect export is at least as equally important as direct export for policy making, although trade-related policy discussions mainly focus on the latter. An implication of this would be that polices may need to be tailored for different sectors as some sectors have much higher reliance on indirect exports. Indirect export also means job opportunities for the local labor force. The opening of the PRC to the world led to job creation not only through direct exports, but also through the growing domestic network of producers that has increased the PRC’s capacity to produce goods and services. If the current trends seen in the value-added comparative advantage measures continue, the comparative advantage of some sectors, such as textile and telecommunications, may be lost in the PRC, while some others, such as transport equipment, may gain comparative advantage. This suggests that the current framework of sector-oriented policy support could benefit from a deeper consideration of structural transformation in the economy. GVC participation indicators also point to the PRC moving to (greater value creating) higher positions in global value chains. This type of involvement in global production networks is in sharp contrast to the “assembly hub” or processing trade type of supply chain contribution, and bodes well for the future of GVC participation by the PRC sectors. Resources Asian Development Bank. 2016. ADB Multi-Region Input-Output Database. Baldwin, R. (2006). Globalisation: The Great Unbundling(s). Retrieved on 27 July 2016 Wang, Z., Wei, S-J., and Zhu, K. (2013). Quantifying International Production Sharing at the Bilateral and Sector Levels [NBER Working Paper No. 19677]. Retrieved on October 2015 The World Bank. (2016). World Development Indicators Database: Exports as Percentage of GDP. Retrieved on 16 December 2016 Financing for Effective, Inclusive, and Sustainable Urbanization (People's Republic of China Case) Ask the Experts Mahinthan Joseph Mariasingham Senior Statistician, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank Joseph Mariasingham leads statistical capacity building initiatives in the System of National Accounts and Statistical Infrastructure domains at ADB. He has developed an Asia-focused multi-region input-output database and a statistical business register system suite adaptable to developing country statistical requirements. He started his career at Statistics Canada in 1999, and earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Economics from Queen’s University (Canada). Follow Mahinthan Joseph Mariasingham on Niny Khor Director, Budget, People, and Management Systems Department, Asian Development Bank Niny Khor leads the planning, implementation and supervision of the HR Business Partners Division and concurrently serves as Advisor and Head of Strategic Workforce Unit. Previously, she was Senior Advisor to the President and also served as country economist in ADB’s PRC Resident Mission, and coordinator of the Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative of the PRC Ministry of Finance and ADB. She was also an economist at UBS headquarters in Switzerland, and a post-doctoral fellow at the Stanford Center for International Development. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region. Its main instruments for helping its developing member countries are policy dialogue, loans, equity investments, guarantees, grants, and technical assistance. Follow Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.