The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 50.1 in July, down from 50.5 the previous month, official data showed. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.

The sub-index for the construction sector came in at 50.6 in July, down from the 52.8 registered a month earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The sub-index for the service sector stood at 50 in July, the data revealed. (Xinhua)