China's services activity falls for first time since May because of Covid restrictions

The economy showed signs of improvement in August, but is being held back by extended health measures and a worsening property slump

Shoppers at a mall in Beijing's Central Business District area. The pandemic situation in China is still 'severe and complex', and the negative impact of coronavirus controls on the economy is still pronounced. EPAShow less

China's services activity in September contracted for the first time in four months, as Covid-19 restrictions dented fragile demand and dimmed business confidence, a private-sector business survey showed on Saturday.

The Caixin services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 49.3 from 55.0 in August as coronavirus containment measures led to supply and demand disruption and restricted national travel.

An official survey published last week also showed services activity slowing, although its reading remained slightly above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.

China's economy showed signs of improvement in August with faster-than-expected growth in factory output and retail sales, but is being held back by protracted Covid curbs and a worsening property slump.

“The current pandemic situation is still severe and complex, and the negative impact of Covid controls on the economy is still pronounced,” said Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group.

“Policy implementation should focus on promoting employment, granting subsidies, as well as boosting demand and market confidence by sending policy signals.”

The Caixin survey showed services companies are grappling with sluggish demand, shrinking production and rising costs, although foreign orders are recovering.

The new business sub-index registered the first drop in four months in September, of which new export business expanded for the first time since December 2021.

Input prices have risen every month since June 2020, the sub-index showed, mainly driven by higher raw material and labour costs.

That led services firms to reduce their payrolls at a sharper rate, with a sub-index for employment at 48.5, in contraction territory for the ninth straight months and down from 48.9 in August.

With few signs that containment measures will ease in the near terms, the market was much less optimistic.

Many Chinese cities advised residents to avoid unnecessary trips for the public holidays, adding to policies that have kept tens of millions of people under lockdown and exacting a growing economic toll.

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  Premier Li Keqiang gives a speech during a dinner reception at the Great Hall of the People on the eve of the People's Republic of China's 73rd National Day holiday in Beijing. AP

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  China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the eve of the 73rd National Day holiday. AP

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  In Tiananmen Square in Beijing, an honour guard marches to a flag-raising ceremony on October 1 to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. AP

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  National Day in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. EPA

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  Masked soldiers of the People's Liberation Army march in Beijing after completing a flag-raising ceremony to mark 73rd National Day. Bloomberg

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  People dressed in traditional Han costumes celebrate China's 73rd National Day in Hong Kong. EPA

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  Members of the public attend the flag raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square during National Day in Beijing. Bloomberg

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  People dressed in traditional Han costumes celebrate China's 73rd National Day in Hong Kong. EPA

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  National Day celebrations for revellers in Hong Kong are delayed by rain. EPA

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  Members of the public at the flag raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square for China's 73rd National Day in Beijing. Bloomberg

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  Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army at a ceremony to mark National Day in Beijing. Bloomberg

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  Flag bearers prepare for 73rd National Day celebrations organised by the Taiwan People's Communist Party in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on October 1. AP

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  Celebrations for National Day at Tsim Sha Tsui, overlooking Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Bloomberg

Beijing is intensifying efforts to support the economy with a re-lending facility worth 200 billion yuan ($28.12bn) on equipment upgrades and relaxation of mortgage rate floors.

Caixin's September composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services activity, fell to 48.5 from 53.0 the previous month. Factory activity shrank more sharply in September, pointing to a faltering recovery.

The Caixin PMI is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questions sent to purchasing managers in China.

Meanwhile, China recorded 422 million tourist trips over the week-long National Day holiday beginning on October 1, down 18.2 per cent from last year's holiday season, government data showed, as the sector remains hit by stringent coronavirus curbs.

The number of trips was 60.7 per cent of the pre-Covid 2019 level, state broadcaster CCTV reported late on Friday, citing figures from China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Domestic tourism revenues, at 287.2bn yuan, were down 26.2 per cent on the year and just 44.2 per cent of their pre-pandemic 2019 level, the data showed.