China’s manufacturing activity witnessed a notable turnaround in March, expanding for the first time in six months, according to an official factory survey released on March 31. This development offers a glimmer of hope to policymakers amid ongoing challenges posed by the property sector crisis.
The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 50.8 in March from 49.1 in February, surpassing the threshold of 50 that separates growth from contraction. This increase exceeded the median forecast of 49.9 in a Reuters poll, indicating a stronger-than-expected rebound. While the pace of growth was moderate, it marked the highest PMI reading since March of the previous year when the momentum from lifting strict Covid-19 restrictions began to taper off.
Analysts interpret these positive indicators as a signal of improving domestic supply and demand, along with a recovery in homeowner and business confidence. Additionally, there is a growing willingness to consume and invest, suggesting a gradual restoration of economic activity.
Notably, new export orders returned to positive territory after an 11-month slump, indicating a potential revival in international demand. However, the PMI data also highlighted a continued decline in employment, albeit at a slower rate.
The recent uptick in economic indicators has led analysts to revise their growth forecasts for the year, indicating optimism about the trajectory of the world’s second-largest economy. Despite these encouraging signs, China continues to grapple with challenges such as a deepening property slump, mounting local government debts, and weakening global demand. The health of heavily indebted local governments and state-owned banks’ balance sheets remains a concern.
To achieve the ambitious 2024 economic growth target of around 5 per cent set by Premier Li Qiang, policymakers are expected to implement additional stimulus measures. However, analysts caution that China must also focus on reorienting its economy towards household consumption and market-driven resource allocation to avoid stagnation in the long term. As China navigates these challenges, the positive momentum in its manufacturing sector offers a ray of hope for economic recovery and stability in the months ahead