China’s manufacturing sector bounced back into expansion territory in February, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 50.2, according to official data released on Saturday. This marks an increase of 1.1 percentage points from January, signaling renewed growth momentum in the world’s second-largest economy.
A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 reflects contraction. The latest figure suggests that manufacturers are ramping up production after a slowdown.
Zhao Qinghe, a statistician from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), attributed the rebound to enterprises resuming operations following the Spring Festival holiday. “The recovery of production and business activities accelerated in February,” Zhao noted.
The sub-indices for production and new orders climbed to 52.5 and 51.1, respectively, highlighting increased output and demand. Notably, the equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors showed strong performances, with PMIs of 50.8 and 50.9.
These positive trends indicate a focus on technological innovation within China’s manufacturing landscape. As businesses resume normal operations, the outlook for the coming months appears optimistic.
