<p>Factory activity in China slowed slightly in December, data showed Thursday, though it continued to grow as the world's second-largest economy stays on track to recover from the coronavirus crisis.</p>.<p>While the rest of the world has struggled to overcome the deadly virus, China has bounced back from a rare contraction in the first three months of the year and is expected to be the only major economy to avoid a recession this year.</p>.<p>The closely watched Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) -- a key gauge of manufacturing activity in China -- dipped to 51.9 from 52.1 in November, the National Bureau of Statistics said. It was also slightly lower than the 52.0 forecast by analysts.</p>.<p>The dip came as demand for Chinese exports was hit by fresh lockdowns and strict containment measures in key markets including Europe and the United States.</p>.<p>Still, NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said the country's economic recovery "remained strong".</p>.<p>"The overall manufacturing sector maintained a steady recovery, with the pace at a relatively high level for the year," Zhao said.</p>.<p>The manufacturing PMI collapsed to a record low of 35.7 in February after the virus brought much of China to a standstill but economic recovery helped it bounce back to a three-year high in November.</p>.<p>The International Monetary Fund expects the Chinese economy to expand by 1.9 percent this year.</p>.<p>China's non-manufacturing PMI - a gauge of sentiment in the services sector - fell to 55.7 in December from 56.4 in November.</p>.<p>China has largely curbed the spread of the virus but a series of local outbreaks in cities including Beijing have reduced the number visiting restaurants, cinemas and other public venues.</p>.<p>These mini-outbreaks have also raised fears of reduced economic activity during the Lunar new year holiday in February.</p>
<p>Factory activity in China slowed slightly in December, data showed Thursday, though it continued to grow as the world's second-largest economy stays on track to recover from the coronavirus crisis.</p>.<p>While the rest of the world has struggled to overcome the deadly virus, China has bounced back from a rare contraction in the first three months of the year and is expected to be the only major economy to avoid a recession this year.</p>.<p>The closely watched Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) -- a key gauge of manufacturing activity in China -- dipped to 51.9 from 52.1 in November, the National Bureau of Statistics said. It was also slightly lower than the 52.0 forecast by analysts.</p>.<p>The dip came as demand for Chinese exports was hit by fresh lockdowns and strict containment measures in key markets including Europe and the United States.</p>.<p>Still, NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said the country's economic recovery "remained strong".</p>.<p>"The overall manufacturing sector maintained a steady recovery, with the pace at a relatively high level for the year," Zhao said.</p>.<p>The manufacturing PMI collapsed to a record low of 35.7 in February after the virus brought much of China to a standstill but economic recovery helped it bounce back to a three-year high in November.</p>.<p>The International Monetary Fund expects the Chinese economy to expand by 1.9 percent this year.</p>.<p>China's non-manufacturing PMI - a gauge of sentiment in the services sector - fell to 55.7 in December from 56.4 in November.</p>.<p>China has largely curbed the spread of the virus but a series of local outbreaks in cities including Beijing have reduced the number visiting restaurants, cinemas and other public venues.</p>.<p>These mini-outbreaks have also raised fears of reduced economic activity during the Lunar new year holiday in February.</p>