Production accelerated while market demand improved, NBS said. The sub-indexes for production and new orders came in at 52.7 and 50.5 in September respectively—up from 51.9 and 50.2 in August.
Rising commodity prices and revival of company purchasing activity—with the sub-gauges of raw material prices and ex-factory prices both hitting the highest level this year at 59.4 and 53.5 respectively—led to recovery of price levels, a state-controlled media outlet reported.
The composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities, came in at 52 in September compared with 51.3 in August, indicating a pickup of enterprises' production and operation activities.
NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe, however, feels the manufacturing sector recovery still faces headwinds as the proportion of manufacturers reporting heightened industry competition, high raw material costs and tight cash flow increased in September.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)