BEIJING — China’s service sector activity improved in March, reversing a downward trend since December, official data showed on April 1.

The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector came in at 53.8 in March, up from 52.7 in February and 53.5 in January, according to a report released jointly by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 represents contraction.