China's manufacturing activity edges up in Sept.

HONG KONG, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- China's manufacturing activity edged up in September for the second month in a row, indicating that the manufacturing sector in the world's No. 2 economy is expanding steadily, an industry group said Sunday.
The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector came in at 51.2 last month, up from 50.9 a month earlier, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The PMI is an indicator that measures the economic health of a country's manufacturing sector. A reading of 50 or above represents an expansion of the sector compared to the previous month while a reading lower than 50 represents a contraction.
The rise of the figure comes as concerns grow that the export-driven Chinese economy could be affected by fading demand in the United States and Europe.
Many market watchers expect the manufacturing sector in China will continue to grow in a steady manner.
"Looking ahead, industrial activities will continue to be supported by local governments' accelerated efforts to build public housing and robust consumption demand," said Helen Chin at Li & Fung Research Center.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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