BEIJING (Reuters) – Activity in China’s services sector expanded at a faster pace in September, official data showed on Wednesday, as demand across the economy continues to recover from a coronavirus-induced slump.
The official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 55.9 from 55.2 in August, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. The 50-point mark separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.
China’s services sector, which includes many smaller, private companies, has been slower to recover from the health crisis than manufacturing, with heavy job losses, pay cuts and fears of a second wave of infections keeping consumers cautious.
The official September composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services activity, rose to 55.1 from August’s 54.5.
(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
