China's statistics authority released the latest survey of purchasing managers' index for both manufacturing and services in January. The survey shows a slowdown in the growth of manufacturing businesses and continued strength in services. Let's take a look.  

China's manufacturing PMI for January stood at 51.3. That's slightly lower than December's 51.6 and also the lowest reading since June last year. But it still remained comfortably above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction. The Statistics Bureau said seasonal factors are to blame for the overall slowdown. But production of consumption goods such as clothes, liquor and food edged up thanks to the upcoming Spring Festival.

ZHAO QINGHE, SENIOR STATISTICIAN NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS "PMI for these industries stood above 53 percent. That indicates strong expansion in production. Consumption has become a more powerful force in economic growth."

Official data also shows continued momentum in the growth of the services sector. China's non-manufacturing PMI edged up to 55.3 in January from December's 55. The figure has been climbing since October. The strength in services stem from high holiday demand.

ZHAO QINGHE, SENIOR STATISTICIAN NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS "Industries that provide services to consumption and travel, for example, retail, aviation and railway, grew fast."

Also in January, for the first time, the statistics authority released composite PMI numbers, which account for both manufacturing and services. The reading for January stood at 54.6, unchanged from December and November.