BEIJING - China's non-manufacturing activity improved in November, signifying a stronger role played by the service sector in supporting the slowing economy, an official survey showed Tuesday.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector rose to 53.6 in November from 53.1 in October, according to a report released jointly by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

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

Logistics business including postal service and express delivery accelerated during the month due to sales boom on the Singles' Day, the country's biggest annual commercial holiday.

Retail and wholesale business as well as services like Internet software, banking, securities trading and insurance all posted strong expansion.

The sub-index for new orders in services climbed over 50 to 50.3, up 1.4 percentage points from October, showing demand rallied up in the service market, said NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe.

The non-manufacturing PMI tracks business activities of both service and construction industries.

The sub-index for service industry went up to 52.8 in November from 52.3 in October. The sub-index for the construction industry increased 1 percentage point from October to 58.1.