PMI for services surges

Sector will help tackle slowdown in manufacturing, experts say

The service industry has shown persistent growth and may help counteract a recent slowdown in manufacturing, business leaders said.

The Purchase Managers' Index, a key gauge of factory output, also indicates activity in the non-manufacturing sector. That index surged to 56.3 last month from July's 55.6, according to data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.