A sign is seen outside a factory in Beijing on July 27, 2026, as China’s manufacturing activity slows in July amid efforts to boost domestic demand. — AFP pic Stay updated on the latest news and insights. Subscribe to our newsletter here Summary In July, China's factory activity experienced a slowdown, with the manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropping to 49.2, indicating a contraction.This figure fell short of Bloomberg's forecast of 50.1, highlighting the challenges faced by the country's leadership in stimulating domestic demand and revitalizing the world's second-largest economy. First Published: Friday, 31 Jul 2026 11:05 AM MYT BEIJING, July 31 — China’s factory activity slowed in July, official data showed Friday, as leaders in the world’s second-largest economy struggle to reignite domestic demand.A closely watched gauge of industrial health, the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) published by the National Bureau of Statistics fell into contraction territory at 49.2, missing a forecast by Bloomberg of 50.1. — AFP