In China, manufacturing activity fell slightly in January, according to official data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the BNS, published this Sunday, January 30. The PMI is 50.1 versus 50.3, with a number above 50 indicating increased activity.
These official figures nevertheless contrast with those of a private survey carried out among SMEs, while the epidemic is resurging in places in the country.
This slight decline in manufacturing activity does not worry the SNB, which indicates that despite a rebound in the pandemic, a difficult economic situation, “ China’s economy continues to recover and grow “.
The official figures have indeed exceeded the fateful threshold of 50 since November. But for most of last year, manufacturing activity was more severely shaken by the energy crisis and the explosion in the price of raw materials.
A drop in activity in the service and construction sectors
However, a private survey of small manufacturers shows a sharper drop in activity than the official data to 49.1 instead of 50.1. This slowdown would particularly affect SMEs, particularly the service and construction sectors.
According to analysts, the appearance of sporadic outbreaks of Covid-19 in the country will continue to undermine consumer confidence and cause the closure of many businesses.
beijing is on the alert after having had to confine more than a million people near the capital, as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics from February 4 to 20.
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