China’s logistics sector maintains expansion in Jan

A worker sorts boxes of goods at a logistics center in Cixi, Zhejiang province, on Nov 4. (ZHANG YONGTAO / FOR CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING – China's logistics sector sustained steady expansion in January, despite a slight slowdown from December, the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said on Tuesday.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the logistics sector will see a seasonal contraction and the logistics performance index will fall back accordingly, said He Hui, director of the China Logistics Information Center

The logistics performance index, which tracks business volumes, new orders, employment, inventory turnover and equipment utility rates in the sector, came in at 54.4 percent last month, down by 2.5 percentage points from December.

ALSO READ: 'Air Silk Road' boosts trade cooperation

A reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below that reflects contraction.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the logistics sector will see a seasonal contraction and the logistics performance index will fall back accordingly, said He Hui, director of the China Logistics Information Center.

The sub-index for equipment utility rates fell 2.7 percentage points from December to 52.5 percent in January.

READ MORE: ASEAN trade corridor to help develop western areas

The sub-index for new orders stood at 52.9 percent, while the sub-index for business activity expectation was 52.7 percent, revealing enterprises' confidence in the market.