The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 50.4 in April, down from 50.8 in March, official data showed.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 reflects contraction.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the service sector continued to expand, with its sub-index standing at 50.1 in April.

In April, the construction sub-index came in at 51.9, down 1.5 percentage points from the previous month, according to NBS data.

Data also showed that the country's manufacturing PMI came in at 49 in April. (Xinhua)