The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector rose to 50.2 in February, marking a rebound into the expansion zone. This represents an increase of 1.1 percentage points from the previous month, according to official data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Saturday.
A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction. The rise to 50.2 suggests a positive momentum in the Chinese mainland's manufacturing industry.
Zhao Qinghe, a statistician at the NBS, attributed the February PMI growth to several factors, including enterprises resuming production following the Spring Festival holiday. The easing of pandemic-related restrictions and improved economic activity also played a role.
Further breakdowns of the PMI revealed that the sub-indices for production and new orders were recorded at 52.5 and 51.1, respectively. These figures highlight the underlying strength in manufacturing activities and demand for goods.
The February PMI for the equipment manufacturing sector and the high-tech manufacturing sector stood at 50.8 and 50.9, respectively, according to the NBS. These sectors' rebound underscores the continued recovery and resilience of China's manufacturing base.
