China's services sector grows at fastest pace in nearly 6 years in Jan

Beijing

CHINA'S services sector got off to a flying start in 2018, expanding at its fastest pace in almost six years as new orders surged and companies rushed to hire more staff, a private survey showed on Monday.

Economists also attributed the robust strength in services in January to better access to bank loans at the start of the year and solid demand before the long Chinese New Year celebrations, which fall in mid-February.

The Caixin/Markit services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 54.7 in Ja…