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China’s Factory Output Is Falling at Its Fastest Rate Since 2012

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An employee works on an assembly line producing electronic cars at a factory of Beijing Electric Vehicle, funded by BAIC Group, in Beijing
An employee works on an assembly line producing electronic cars at a factory of Beijing Electric Vehicle, funded by BAIC Group, in Beijing, China, Jan. 18, 2016.Kim Kyung Hoon—Reuters
By Simon Lewis

Output in China’s manufacturing output is shrinking at its fastest pace since 2012 amid growing concerns about a possible hard landing for the world’s second biggest economy, according to new official data released Monday.

Reuters reports that the Purchasing Managers’ Index for January was 49.4, compared with 49.7 just a month before. A reading below 50 indicates that the sector contracted during the month.

The January figure was the sixth month in a row when factory output contracted, according to Reuters.

The Chinese government hopes that expansion of the service sector will make up for the fall in Chinese manufacturing, but some fear that the transition to a services-based economy is not moving quickly enough.

[Reuters]

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Write to Simon Lewis at simon_daniel.lewis@timeasia.com