Doha: Data released today by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed that the pace of contraction in China's manufacturing sector activity slowed during the current month.

According to Qatar News Agency, the data indicated that the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector rose to 49.8 points, compared with 49.2 points in July, an increase of 0.6 points. A reading of less than 50 points indicates a contraction in the sector's economic activity, while a reading of more than 50 points indicates growth in the sector's economic activity.

The bureau said that the PMI for the non-manufacturing sector remained stable at 49 points in August, the same level as in July.