PMI maintains uptrend in February

The official purchasing managers index for China's manufacturing sector came in at 50.2 in February, compared with 50.1 in January, staying in the expansion territory for four months in a row, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

A PMI reading above 50 points to expansion, while one below signals contraction.

China's non-manufacturing PMI was at 51.6 in February, after 51.1 in January. And the country's official composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services activity, stood at 51.2 in February, compared with 51 in January, according to NBS.

A separate private survey also released on Tuesday that focuses on small and export-oriented businesses showed that factory activity in February expanded.

The Caixin China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index came in at 50.4 in February, up from 49.1 in January, media group Caixin said in a report.

ouyangshijia@chinadaily.com.cn