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HomeeconomyChina December HSBC services PMI falls to lowest in over 2 years

China December HSBC services PMI falls to lowest in over 2 years

Growth in China's services sector slowed sharply in December to its lowest point since August 2011, a private sector survey showed on Monday, adding to signs of slowing momentum in the world's second-largest economy.

The HSBC/Markit services sector Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to 50.9 in December from 52.5 in November, with new business expansion the slowest in six months.

(Read more: China 'major' uncertainty facing world economy: Soros)

The PMI follows a similar survey by China's National Bureau of Statistics on Friday, which also noted a slowdown in service-sector activity growth to a four-month low of 54.6.

This picture taken on November 16, 2013 shows workers sewing in a clothing factory in Bozhou, east China's Anhui province.STR | Collection | Getty Images

Both surveys follow two other PMIs last week that showed China's factory activity slowed in December, suggesting the moderation in the country's growth in the final quarter of 2013 was broad-based.

But all four measures remained above the 50 point level that separates expansion in activity from contraction.

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China's economy has regained some momentum since mid-year after a protracted slowdown. While it was expected to lose steam as the effect of government support measures faded, activity has remained resilient into the December quarter.

Beijing has said it will accept slower growth as it tries to reshape the economy towards more sustainable growth, based on consumer demand, after three decades of breakneck expansion led by exports and credit.

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