PMI points to overall economic resilience

Small uptick shows manufacturing activities still expanding, says expert

China's official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged up to 49.5 in January from 49.4 in December, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday.

Despite the slight rise, it was the second consecutive month in which the PMI was below 50. Analysts said that the rise in the PMI reading indicates that the overall economy remains resilient, but there is still the risk of further weakening and the authorities need to boost domestic demand to bolster growth.