Beijing expected to become more proactive on growth

Interest rate cut part of more aggressive policy approach, economists say

Continuing weakness in industrial activity is forcing the Chinese government to adopt more aggressive policies to accelerate growth and increase employment, economists said.

The weekend announcement by the People's Bank of China of a second interest rate cut in less than four months coincided with the release of the manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index for February, which edged slightly upward from a 28-month low of 49.8 in January to 49.9.