October produces the purchasing manager's index
China reported slower production growth in October for the second straight month when the country's trade war dispute with the US continues.
Official Production Purchasing Managers" Index (PMI) was 50.2 – lower than the 50.6 analysts expected in a Reuters survey. The official PMI production was 50.8 in September.
A reading of 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below that which signals contraction.
October is the first full month after the latest US tariffs came into force. Washington and Beijing beat additional tariffs on each other's goods on September 24th.
China's economic data is closely monitored in a trade war between two economic giants.
Statistical statistics agency statistics Zhao Qinghe wrote in an analysis of the data that October's production activity was hit by long national holidays and a "complex and variable external environment nt" that caused "fluctuations" in demand and supply.
China has already reported slower than expected growth of 6.5 percent in the third quarter of the year ̵[ads1]1; the weakest pace since the first quarter of 2009.
Even before the escalation of trade tensions with the United States this year, Beijing already tried to handle a slowdown in the economy after three decades of breakneck growth.
The trade war with the United States is now complicating these efforts, with analysts expecting Beijing to increase political relief efforts to deal with threats from the bilateral conflict that can track growth.
The results of another private production survey focused on small and medium-sized businesses will be released on Thursday.
China's official PMI meter focuses on large companies and state-owned companies, while the private investigation of Caixin and IHS Markit focuses on small and medium-sized businesses.
– Reuters contributed to this report.
