BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China's non-manufacturing sector expanded at a slightly slower pace in August, official data showed Thursday.

　　The non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 53.4 in August, down from 54.5 in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

　　A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below that reflects contraction.