An official survey shows China's manufacturing activity contracted in December, adding to pressure on Beijing to reverse an economic downturn amid trade tension with Washington.
The purchasing managers' index issued Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics and an industry group, the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, fell to 49.4 from November's 50.0 on a 100-point scale on which numbers below 50 show activity contracting.
A statement by the groups said "downward pressure on the economy is still large" amid a domestic slowdown and weak global demand, reports AP.
Chinese and US officials are due to meet in January for talks on a tariff fight over US complaints about Beijing's technology policies.