Activity in China's services sector expanded again in April, though the gains were slightly less robust than in March, a private survey showed on Thursday.
The Caixin/Markit services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for April dropped to 51.8 from 52.2 in March, as new business increased at the fastest pace since January while business expectations were unchanged.
Readings above 50 indicate an expansion on a monthly basis, while readings below that signal contraction.
Companies resumed adding staff after a rare decline in the previous month.
The employment sub-component rose to 50.9 in April from March's 48.9, reversing the first decline in staffing since August 2013.
