BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's business climate index, a main measurement of macro-economic outlook, rose by 8.5 points in the third quarter from the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Tuesday.

    The quarterly business climate index climbed from 115.9 in the second quarter to 124.4 in the third quarter, the NBS said.

    The index ranges from zero to 200. A reading above 100 shows economic expansion, while a reading below 100 indicates contraction. The survey began in 1998.

    The index for the industrial sector rose by 8.5 points to 120.5in the third quarter. The manufacturing sector index increased 8.3points to 120.0 in the third quarter. All the manufacturing sectors, except textile, reported business climate index above 100,which indicates expansion.

    Social service business climate index rose 15.1 points from the second quarter to 124.1 in the third quarter. Accommodation and catering business climate index rose 12.1 points and 115.1 in the third quarter.

    Business climate index for large enterprises rose 15.1 points to 148.1 in the third quarter. Business climate for medium-sized enterprises rose 6.5 points to 123.3 in the third quarter. Business climate index for small enterprises rose 8.5 points to 107.2.