Zhao Qinghe News

An official survey shows that China’s factory activity contracted in January for the first time in four months

Authorities have looked in recent months to revive confidence in the Chinese economy, grappling with a prolonged property sector crisis and now under increasing pressure from fresh trade tensions with the United States. The Purchasing Managers' Index — a key measure of industrial output — came in at 50.5 in March, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), above the 50-point mark that separates growth and contraction. The reading for March was up from February's 50.2, and the highest in twelve months. Manufacturing was boosted by workers' return to work after the traditional Spring Festival travel period in February and the fact that «enterprises' production and operating activities accelerated,» NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said in a statement.

Manufacturing in China expanded in March after contracting for five consecutive months

An official Chinese survey says the country's factory activity has recorded its first expansion in six months

An official Chinese survey says the country's factory activity has recorded its first expansion in six months

China's factory activity contracted for a fifth straight month in August, official data showed on Thursday, as pressure mounts on Beijing to offer more policy support to bolster its sluggish economy. The reading is the latest to indicate the nation's post-Covid recovery is running off the tracks owing to a decline in overseas demand as well as a drop-off in consumption at home. The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) — a key measure of factory output — came in at 49.7 in August, below the 50-point mark that separates expansion and contraction, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Still, the reading was slightly higher than the July reading and also beat forecasts. The non-manufacturing PMI, which includes activity in the construction and services sectors, fell to 51.0, from 51.5 in July, according to NBS data.

The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) — a key measure of factory output — came in at 49.3, below the 50-point mark that separates expansion and contraction, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). July's reading was slightly higher than June's 49.0 figure and was better than forecasts in a Bloomberg survey. «The overall level of manufacturing prosperity continued to improve,» NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said in a statement. China is struggling to improve growth as its post-Covid recovery runs out of steam, due in large part to sluggish consumer spending.