The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 54.2 in July, down from 54.4 in June, a sign of sustained economic recovery and improved business activities in the country, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below it reflects contraction. The non-manufacturing PMI has remained above 50 for five months in a row, data from the NBS showed.

In July, the service sector continued its recovering momentum, with the sub-index for business activities standing at 53.1, while the business expectation reading for the sector ticked up 2.4 points from the previous month to 61.4. (Xinhua)