ECONOMY

China’s Factory Activity Contracts as PMI Falls

Published: Oct. 31, 2025 4:39 p.m. GMT+8

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China’s factory activity shrank further in October, as both production and demand weakened, official data showed.

The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 49, down 0.8 points from September, according to data released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The downturn in manufacturing, a key engine of the Chinese economy, highlights persistent headwinds from weak domestic demand and international trade uncertainties, casting a shadow over the country’s growth prospects for the final quarter.

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China’s manufacturing PMI fell to 49 in October, signaling contraction as both production and demand weakened; new export orders dropped to 45.9.
The composite PMI decreased to 50, its lowest since December 2022, while business confidence and factory employment also declined.
Non-manufacturing PMI edged up to 50.1, supported by services growth, but construction activity remained weak despite improved market expectations.

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