BEIJING, March 3 Reuters Activity in China39;s services sector expanded at the fastest pace in six months in February as the removal of tough COVID19 restrictions revived customer demand, driving a solid increase in employment, a private sector survey showed on Friday.

The CaixinSP Global services purchasing managers39; index PMI rose to 55.0 in February from 52.9 in January, a backtoback monthly increase in activity after the government abruptly dismantled antivirus measures in December.

The 50point mark separates expansion and contraction in activity on a monthly basis.

The reading tallies with an official services PMI released on Wednesday, suggesting a robust recovery in the sector is well under way.

Service companies reported the strongest rise in new business since April 2021, while new export order growth accelerated to the highest in almost four years, the Caixin survey showed.

The improvement in market conditions also drove a strong increase in employment. Firms started to take on additional workers for the first time in four months and the rate of job creation was the sharpest since November 2020 as spending and travel got a boost.

China39;s human resources minister Wang Xiaoping said on Thursday that the country39;s job market was better than expected in January and February.

Commerce minister Wang Wentao also said on Thursday that the country39;s consumption has rebounded significantly this year, with major shopping areas and the catering sector surging…