The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 51.2 in April, down from 53 in March, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.

NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe said the figure stays above the boom-bust line, indicating that China's non-manufacturing activities continued expanding in April. (Xinhua)