China’s services industry grew at its strongest pace in four months in December, adding to signs that the country’s economy rebounded slightly at the end of the year, Reuters reported. China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the services sector increased to 56.1 in December, up from 55.6 in November, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Thursday. A figure over 50 shows growth is accelerating, while one under indicates it is slowing down. The growth in construction services showed the greatest acceleration, rising to 62.9 in December from 61.3 in November. Industries such as transport shrunk, the NBS said in a statement released with the data. The positive data adds to two PMIs on the manufacturing industry released earlier this week which also signaled an acceleration in China’s growth at the end of 2012, although there are indications that such growth was fueled by state-led stimulus.