BEIJING, June 30 Reuters China39;s factory activity declined for a third straight month in June and weakness in other sectors deepened, official surveys showed on Friday, adding pressure for authorities to do more to shore up growth as demand falters at home and abroad.

The world39;s secondlargest economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter largely due to a strong postCOVID rebound in consumption, but policymakers have been unable to sustain the momentum in the second quarter.

Services sector activity for June also recorded its weakest reading since China abandoned its strict COVID curbs late last year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

The official manufacturing purchasing managers39; index PMI inched up to 49.0 from 48.8 in May, staying below the 50point mark that separates expansion from contraction and in line with forecasts.

The nonmanufacturing PMI fell to 53.2 from 54.50 in May, indicating a slowdown in service sector activity and construction.

Domestic tourism, and dining out have been making up for lost time in the early part of the year. But there is only so long that this can go on, said Rob Carnell, regional head of research AsiaPacific at ING. Other indicators of retail sales suggest that it remains well above historical trends, and suggests some further moderation over the second half of this year.

The NBS39; separate services index dropped to 52.8 from 53.8 in May, its lowest since December when China scrapped strict…