BEIJING, Dec 31 - China's manufacturing sector recorded growth for the third consecutive month in December, though the pace of expansion has slowed. The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) stood at 50.1, slightly down from 50.3 in November. This figure remains above the neutral mark of 50, indicating ongoing expansion in the sector.
The PMI result is indicative of the effectiveness of recent government stimulus measures aimed at bolstering the economy. Although the reading fell short of the median forecast of 50.3 from a Reuters poll, it suggests that the world's second-largest economy is on track to meet its annual growth targets.