BEIJING - China's manufacturing sector expanded for the 13th straight month in August, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Thursday.

The country's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 51.7 in August, up from 51.4 in July, according to NBS data.

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

"The reading, the second highest so far this year, showed a steady upward trend of China's manufacturing sector," said NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe.

Zhao attributed the quickened expansion to improving domestic demand and booming manufacturing in consumer goods and high-tech sectors.

Sub-indices for production and new orders came in at 54.1 and 53.1, respectively, up from 53.5 and 52.8 last month, suggesting an improved supply and demand relationship, said Zhao.

The import sub-index rose from 51.1 in July to 51.4 in August, the highest so far this year, according to the NBS.

Equipment manufacturing reported a PMI figure of 52.8, higher than the headline manufacturing index of 51.7, indicating a better manufacturing structure.

Thursday's data also showed that China's non-manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in August, with non-manufacturing PMI standing at53.4 in August, down from 54.5 in July.