GDP: How far can it fall?

Economists speculate on more modest target after surprise fall in PMI to 28-month low

An unexpected contraction of manufacturing in January has raised speculation about the bottom line of GDP growth that the government can tolerate, given the "new normal" situation confronting China.

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index in January weakened to a 28-month low of 49.8 from 50.1 in December, the National Bureau of Statistics reported on Sunday.