A man works at a factory in Qingdao, Shandong province, June 1, 2016. [Photo/IC]

BEIJING - China's manufacturing sector expansion remained steady in May, official data showed on Wednesday.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for May came in at 50.1, the same as in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.

NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said the country's manufacturing activity maintained steady growth last month, partly due to expansion of high-technology manufacturing and consumer goods manufacturing.

High-technology manufacturing PMI hit 50.8 and consumer goods manufacturing PMI stood at 51.5.

The sub-index measuring production stood at 52.3, slightly up from 52.2 a month earlier, and higher than the first quarter's average of 51.3.

The sub-index for new orders settled at 50.7, slightly lower than 51 in the previous month but remaining in expansion territory for a third month, indicating steady market demand.

 

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China's non-manufacturing PMI down slightly by Xinhua

Business activity in China's non-manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in May, official data showed on Wednesday.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector came in at 53.1 in May, down from 53.5 in April and 53.8 in March, but well above the 50 mark that separates expansion and contraction, according to a report released jointly by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

The non-manufacturing PMI tracks business activity in both the service sector and the construction industry.

The service sector sub-index was 52 in May, down 0.5 point from April, sid the report.

Businesses related to wholesale, retail, aviation transport, catering and software technology posted sound growth last month. However, road transport, residential services and repairing industries reported a drop in business volumes.

The sub-index for service new orders rose 0.2 points from one month earlier to 48.6 in May, suggesting stronger demand in the non-manufacturing sector.

The sub-index for construction activity remained unchanged at 59.4 in May, while that for new orders was up 2.1 points to 52.1.