China's factory activity slowed in March but continued to stay in the expansion territory, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics on March 31.
The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) stood at 51.9 in March, down from 52.6 in February, NBS data showed. The 50-mark separates expansion from contraction on a monthly basis.
"In March, influenced by factors such as the high base of the previous month, the manufacturing PMI fell, with the prosperity level still at its second highest point for the past two years, and 13 of the 21 industries surveyed had a PMI higher than the previous month,” said senior NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe.
Subindex for new orders fell to 53.6 from 54.1 and that for new export orders down to 50.4 from 52.4, the data showed.
The official non-manufacturing PMI, which measures business sentiment in the services and construction sectors, rose further to 58.2 in March from 56.3 in February. After expanding for a third consecutive month, the non-manufacturing PMI reached its highest level since May 2011.
The official composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services activity, rose to 57 in March, up from 56.4 in February.
(Writing by Alex Guo Editing by Harry Huo)
For any questions, please contact us by inquiry@fwenergy.com or +86-351-7219322.