FX.co ★ China Manufacturing Sector Returns to Growth

China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) saw an unexpected increase to 50.1 in December 2025, exceeding both November’s figures and market expectations of 49.2. This milestone represents the first growth in manufacturing activity since March. Nonetheless, this positive shift occurred as manufacturers continued to grapple with sluggish domestic demand, intensified pricing competition within the local market, and a cautious outlook on exports due to unpredictable trade relations with significant export destinations.