BEIJING - The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector came in at 50.2 in February, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous month and bouncing back to the expansion zone, official data showed on Saturday.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.
ALSO READ: China's overall economic output continues to expand
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) statistician Zhao Qinghe said the PMI data in February was influenced by factors including enterprises resuming production after the Spring Festival holiday.
NBS data also revealed that the sub-indices of production and new orders came in at 52.5 and 51.1, respectively.
The February PMI for the equipment manufacturing sector and high-tech manufacturing sector stood at 50.8 and 50.9, respectively, according to the NBS.
READ MORE: China to remain world's top steelmaker this year
Data from the NBS also showed that China’s non-manufacturing sector PMI came in at 50.4 in February, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, and remaining in expansion territory.
According to the NBS, the sub-index for the service sector stood at 50.0 in February, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month.
Business activity indices in sectors related to consumer spending, such as retail, accommodation and catering, significantly declined in February, influenced by factors such as intensive purchasing ahead of the Spring Festival holiday and the waning holiday effects during the post-holiday period, Zhao said.
ALSO READ: Plan unveiled to attract more foreign investment
Meanwhile, business activity indices in sectors such as air transport, postal services, telecommunications, radio, television, satellite transmission services, monetary and financial services, and capital market services remained above 55 in February -- indicating robust growth in overall business volume.
In February, the construction sub-index came in at 52.7, an increase of 3.4 percentage points from the previous month, according to NBS data.
