China’s service sector expanded at a quicker pace at the start of 2026, according to the latest PMI® data. This was driven by stronger growth in new business, which was in turn supported by a fresh increase in new export orders. Companies hired additional staff for the first time since last July in response to rising new work inflows. Meanwhile, cost pressures eased, while output charges were little-changed from the previous month. Despite the improvement in demand conditions and slower cost inflation, business confidence softened at the start of the first quarter. The headline RatingDog China General Services ... (full story)