DHAKA: Chinese manufacturing grew at its slowest pace in three months in December, HSBC confirmed on Thursday, as demand for the country’s goods eased, adding to concerns about recovery in the world’s number two economy.

The bank’s final purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which tracks manufacturing activity in China’s factories and workshops, came in at 50.5 last month, unchanged from a preliminary reading two weeks ago.

The index is a closely watched gauge of the health of the Asian economic giant. A reading above 50 indicates growth, while anything below signals contraction.

The December figure was down from 50.8 in November and marked the weakest growth since September when the reading was 50.2, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1847 HRS, JAN 02, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor