Shanghai port

China's logistics business continued to expand in August, but the growth rate was lower than the previous month, according to a recent survey.

The logistics performance index for August came in at 50.9% - 0.2% points lower than in July, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

A reading above 50% indicates expansion, while anything less reflects contraction.

Despite a cyclical decline of the index, it still remains in the expansionary territory, says He Hui, director of the China Logistics Information Centre.

The new orders index rebounded in August, as did the average inventory index, reflecting increased logistics-related storage business.

Looking ahead, the indexes of new orders and business activity expectations are at 50.7% and 58.8%, respectively, indicating the logistics business will continue to be stable in the near future, according to the federation.