In a sign of potential economic headwinds, China's Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for April 2025 has retreated to 50.2, a noticeable dip from the previous reading of 51.4 in March. The figures, updated on April 30, reflect a slowdown in the overall economic activity across the manufacturing and services sectors.
April's PMI figure, which just barely sits above the boom-or-bust threshold of 50, indicates that while the Chinese economy is still expanding, the pace has moderated. This slowdown comes at a crucial time for the global economy, which has been eyeing China's economic activities amid post-pandemic recovery efforts.
Experts suggest that this deceleration could be attributed to a combination of external pressures and internal policy adjustments. As businesses and investors watch closely, the next few months will be critical in determining whether Beijing will introduce new stimulus measures to bolster economic growth and reinforce market confidence.