FILE PHOTO: A woman carrying her belongings walks by a luxury housing construction site in Beijing, on Sept. 24, 2024. – China’s economy weakened further in recent weeks, according to surveys released Monday, September 30, 2024, signaling the need for more support as the government ratchets up stimulus.
(Associated Press Photo/Andy Wong, File) China’s economy weakened further in recent weeks, according to surveys released Monday, signaling the need for more support as the government ratchets up stimulus. The Caixin purchasing managers survey showed new manufacturing orders fell at the fastest pace in two years in September. “Operating conditions in China’s manufacturing sector deteriorated in September after improving during August,” the report said.
“Furthermore, firms lowered their hiring and purchasing activity.” The issue of insufficient effective domestic demand remains prominent, with significant pressure on employment and weak market expectations. An official survey released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed a less drastic decline but it marked a fifth straight month of contraction.
The purchasing managers index was at 49.8 in September, up from a six-month low of 49.1 in August.
The index is on a scale where figures above 50 indicate expansion. The survey showed that factory output rose while new orders fell. READ: China top banks to tweak mortgage rates to boost housing market Chinese stock markets surged Monday, reflecting enthusiasm over a.