China

zhōngguó

中国

manufacturing

zhìzàoyè

制造业

PMI

PMI

PMI

return to

chóngfǎn

重返

expansion

kuòzhāng

扩张

。

New Words

News in English

China Manufacturing PMI Returns to Expansion Territory on Strong External Demand

Chinas official manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 in September 2026, marking a return to expansion after contracting in August, driven by strong external demand and global AI infrastructure buildout.

Chinas official National Bureau of Statistics manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 in September 2026, marking the first expansion since June as factory activity rebounded from contraction in previous months. The reading climbed 0.3 points from Augusts 49.8, crossing the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. Production activity accelerated sharply to 51.7, the highest level in nine months, while new orders continued to grow at 50.5 points. However, employment conditions deteriorated further, with the employment index slipping to 48.4 points, continuing a downward trend despite overall factory improvements. The private sector PMI also showed strength, advancing to 52.1 points, indicating robust activity among private enterprises. The expansion was primarily driven by strong external demand fueled by ongoing global artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.

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