September non-manufacturing PMI rises to 55.4 pct

China's non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 55.4 percent in September from 53.9 percent for August, according to official data released on Thursday.

A PMI reading of more than 50 percent indicates expansion in non-manufacturing activity, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction.

The index was released by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.