National Bureau of Statistics: The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the manufacturing industry in June rose to the expansion zone, while the index for non-manufacturing business activities continued to expand.

Chief statistician Huo Lihui of the National Bureau of Statistics Service Industry Survey Center interpreted the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for China in June 2026. In June, the manufacturing PMI was 50.3%, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous month, returning to the expansion range. The non-manufacturing business activity index and comprehensive PMI output index were 50.2% and 50.6%, respectively, both up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight improvement in China's economic outlook. Original text: Manufacturing PMI in June returned to the expansion zone, non-manufacturing business activities continued to expand - Huo Lihui, Chief Statistician of the National Bureau of Statistics Service Industry Survey Center, interprets the Purchasing Managers Index for June 2026 in China On June 30, 2026, the National Bureau of Statistics Service Industry Survey Center and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing jointly released the Purchasing Managers' Index for China. In response, Huo Lihui, Chief Statistician of the National Bureau of Statistics Service Industry Survey Center, provided an interpretation. In June, the manufacturing PMI was 50.3%, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous month, returning to the expansion zone; the non-manufacturing business activity index and comprehensive PMI output index were 50.2% and 50.6%, respectively, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight improvement in China's economic outlook. I. Manufacturing PMI returns to the expansion zone In June, the manufacturing PMI was 50.3%, indicating faster manufacturing operations compared to the previous month. (1) Production and demand expand synchronously. The manufacturing production index was 51.4%, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, indicating an acceleration in production activities. The new order index entered the expansion zone at 51.2%, up 1.3 percentage points from the previous month, suggesting an improvement in market demand. In terms of industries, the production and new order indices in industries such as food processing, special equipment, and computer communication electronic equipment were all above 54.0%, indicating strong production and demand in these industries. However, two indices in industries such as chemical fiber and rubber and plastic products, and black metal smelting and rolling processing remained below the critical point, indicating insufficient supply and demand. (2) PMI for large and medium-sized enterprises is above the critical point. The PMI for large manufacturing enterprises was 50.7%, indicating continued expansion; the PMI for medium-sized enterprises was 50.5%, up 1.9 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a noticeable improvement in business confidence; and the PMI for small businesses was 48.2%, indicating a slight decline in business confidence. (3) High-tech manufacturing continues to improve. The PMI for high-tech manufacturing was 53.5%, up 0.6 percentage points from the previous month, significantly higher than the overall manufacturing industry, indicating continued growth in high-end manufacturing, with the leading role further strengthened; PMI for equipment manufacturing and consumer goods industries was 52.5% and 50.2%, up 0.4 and 0.5 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a stronger industry sentiment; PMI for high-energy-consuming industries was 47.1%, unchanged from the previous month. (4) Market expectations improve slightly. The production and operation expectation index for the manufacturing industry was 54.3%, up 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, indicating enhanced market confidence among businesses. In terms of industries, production and operation expectations in industries such as special equipment, railway, ship, aerospace equipment, and electrical machinery were all above 57.0%, indicating high enthusiasm for industry development among relevant companies. II. Non-manufacturing business activities slightly increase In June, the non-manufacturing business activity index was 50.2%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight improvement in the non-manufacturing industry. (1) Accelerated expansion in the service industry. The business activity index for the service industry was 50.4%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight improvement in business sentiment. In terms of industries, the business activity indices for industries such as telecommunications, internet software, monetary finance services, and insurance were all above 55.0%, indicating rapid business growth; however, the business activity indices for industries such as air transport and real estate remained below the critical point. The business activity expectation index for the service industry was 56.0%, up 0.6 percentage points from the previous month, indicating positive market development expectations among businesses. (2) Slight improvement in the construction industry. The business activity index for the construction industry was 49.0%, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight improvement in business sentiment. The business activity expectation index for the construction industry was 51.1%, indicating continued expansion. III. Comprehensive PMI output index continues to expand In June, the comprehensive PMI output index was 50.6%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a slight acceleration in overall business operations in China. The manufacturing production index and non-manufacturing business activity index that make up the comprehensive PMI output index were 51.4% and 50.2%, respectively. This article is compiled from the official website of the National Bureau of Statistics. Editor: Xu Wenqiang.