On January 23, 2024, a worker welds magnetic separation equipment for export to Africa at the Slon Magnetic Separator Co., Ltd. factory in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province. [Photo/VCG]
China's factory activity improved slightly in January, but still marks the fourth consecutive month of contraction, while non-manufacturing activity is expanding at a faster pace, according to an official survey on Wednesday.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the official purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing industry was 49.2 in January, up from 49 in December and below the 50-point threshold between contraction and expansion of activity.
According to the NBS, the production sub-index rose to 51.3 in January from 50.2 in December, while the new orders index improved to 49 from 48.7 in the previous month.
NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said manufacturers are optimistic and confident with the expected figure of 54 for production and operations in January.
China's non-manufacturing PMI in January was 50.7, up from 50.4 in the previous month. Also, the country's official composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries, was 50.9 in January, compared to 50.3 in December, according to NBS.
ouyangshijia@chinadaily.com.cn
