Source: Sharecast
The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 50.8 from 50.1 in January, beating expectations for a reading of 50.3.
A reading above 50.0 indicates expansion, while a reading below signals contraction.
Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight, said: "Overall, the market showed clear signs of recovery, with manufacturers launching new products.
"The holiday period saw robust consumption momentum, and technological innovations in certain industries added to the positive sentiment, helping sustain the manufacturing market recovery.”
The official PMI released on Saturday by the National Bureau of Statistics rose to 50.2 in February from 49.1 the month before, while the non-manufacturing PMI ticked up to 50.4 from 50.2.
Zichun Huang, China economist at Capital Economics, said: "The PMIs suggest that a combination of fiscal support and tariff front-running helped China’s economy regain some momentum in February. But growth still looks at risk of slowing this quarter, at least partially reversing the pick-up in Q4. And that’s before the hit from tariffs is felt in earnest.
"Unless the leadership unveil greater-than-expected stimulus at the National People’s Congress, it is hard to see how a slowdown can be avoided this year."