Global manufacturing PMI picks up for three consecutive months

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Global manufacturing PMI picks up for three consecutive months

2025-02-06 13:16 Last Updated At：20:27

The global manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) edged up for three consecutive months to stand at 50 percent in January, continuing the steady recovery trend since the fourth quarter of last year, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on Thursday.

The index, a key metric in assessing economic health for manufacturing, was up 0.5 percentage over December 2024, marking a good start for the global manufacturing sector in 2025.

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Global manufacturing PMI picks up for three consecutive months

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Global manufacturing PMI picks up for three consecutive months

Asia's PMI declined by 0.4 percentage over the previous month to reach 50.7 percent in January, staying above 50 percent for 13 months in a row and showing a relatively stable recovery momentum.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.

The manufacturing PMI for the Americas was 50.9 percent, up 1.3 percentage points from December. This marked a notable return to the expansion zone after nine months, indicating a stronger recovery of the manufacturing sector in the American continent.

Meanwhile, the index of Europe saw an increase of one percentage but remain below 50, at 47.8 percent, indicating that the recovery has gained strength but remains weak overall.

Africa's manufacturing PMI fell to 49.4, a 0.8-percentage-point drop from the previous month, reflecting unstable recovery in the continent.

Analysis suggests that a smooth start for the global manufacturing sector will lay a better foundation for a stable upward trend in the world economy in 2025. Major international institutions maintain their expectations for stable global economic performance this year.

However, it is believed that the global economic recovery is still gripped by the three main issues of inadequate internal impetus for demand, geopolitical conflicts and increased trade frictions.

With geopolitical conflicts in some regions showing no obvious signs of cooling down, the disturbance to the world economy will persist. Trade frictions, mainly the imposition of tariffs, will also have an uncertain impact on global recovery in 2025. But at the same time, more and more countries have recognized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in maintaining the resilience of economic recovery.

China's railways handle 1.46 bln passenger trips in Jan-April, setting new record

2025-05-15 16:56 Last Updated At：17:07

China's railways handled 1.46 billion passenger trips from January to April this year, marking a 5.9 percent year-on-year increase and setting a record high for the same period, according to the China State Railway Group on Thursday.

To meet the rising demand for travel, a new batch of bullet trains capable of running 350 kilometers per hour was put into operation during the first four months, significantly improving travel efficiency. Meanwhile, transport capacity was also expanded on popular routes.

During the period, an average of 11,224 passenger trains were operated daily across the country, up 7.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

The growth of rail tourism also contributed to the surge. In the first four months, a total of 367 tourist trains were launched nationwide, up 23 percent year on year.

Cross-border rail travel saw a notable rise as well from January to April, with the railways handling 5.687 million trips by foreign travelers, up 32.1 percent year on year.