BEIJING, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - China's factory activity ticked up slightly in December, official data showed Wednesday, an unexpected silver lining to cap an otherwise lacklustre end to the year for the world's second-largest economy. Additionally, the non-manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 in December, NBS data showed, returning to positive territory after an unexpected dip to 49.5 the previous month. NBS statistician Huo Lihui hailed "an overall improvement in the country's economic activity", according to a statement offering official interpretations of the data. In a stark indication of China's consumer woes, retail sales grew in November at their slowest pace in nearly three years, official data showed this month. Momentum in the country's service sector "remains weak", while growth in manufacturing is heavily dependent on exports, he warned.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha December 31, 2025 11:15 UTC