China's non-manufacturing activity expands at slower pace

A waitress serves fish at a restaurant in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

BEIJING - China's non-manufacturing sector expanded at a slightly slower pace in July, official data showed Monday.

The non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at 54.5 in July, down from 54.9 in June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

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