Manufacturing production continued to pick up for the third consecutive month in September, driven by the expansion of new orders and exports, sending positive signals for overall economic growth in the third quarter.
The National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing reported on Tuesday that the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index climbed to 51.1 in September from 51.0 in August, the highest since May 2012.
The sub-index indicated that new orders rose to 52.8 from 52.4 in August, and export orders increased to 50.7 from 50.2, according to the official figures.
If the reading is above 50 it signals expansion in the manufacturing sector, while below 50 shows contraction.