China April official services PMI at 54.5 vs March 55.6

BEIJING (REUTERS) - China's official purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector fell to 54.5 in April from 55.6 in March, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Friday, reinforcing the view that the recovery in the world's second-largest economy remains modest.

A reading above 50 indicates activity in the sector is accelerating, while one below 50 indicates it is slowing.

The services sector index followed the bureau's manufacturing PMI on Wednesday, which slowed in April as new export orders fell, raising doubts about the strength of the recovery after a disappointing first quarter.

China's services industry has so far weathered the global slowdown much better than the factory sector.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.