China's non-manufacturing sector expands at faster pace

BEIJING — China's non-manufacturing sector expanded at the fastest pace since June 2014 in September, official data showed Saturday.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector came in at 55.4 in September, up from 53.4 in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

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

"The growth momentum for the non-manufacturing sector has become stronger," said NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe.

The sub-index for new orders rose to 52.3 this month from 50.9 in August, indicating faster expansion of market demand, while that for business outlook rose to 61.7 from 61, higher than 60 for a fifth month.

Other sub-indices rose across the board, including those for sales prices, employees and export orders.

NBS data also showed that manufacturing PMI stood at 52.4 in September, the fastest expansion since May 2012.