Manufacturing growth slower in September

China's manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in September, partly due to weakened export performance, official data showed on Sunday.

The country's manufacturing purchasing managers index came in at 50.8 in September, narrowing from 51.3 in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Despite a slowdown in growth, this is the 26th consecutive month that the official manufacturing PMI stayed above 50. A reading above 50 indicates expansion while a reading below reflects contraction.