BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's non-manufacturing activity slightly slowed in July, with the sector's purchasing managers' index (PMI) retreating to 54.2 from 55 in June, official data showed on Sunday.

The non-manufacturing PMI, compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, tracks activity in sectors including construction, software, aviation, railway transport and real estate.

The reading marked the lowest level in six months, but still well above the 50-threshold that demarcates expansion and contraction.

Sunday's data came on the heels of the manufacturing data that showed activity quickened to the highest level in more than two years in July, reinforcing signs that the economy is firming up on government support policies.