AsianFin -- China’s manufacturing sector returned to expansion in June, buoyed by a pickup in new orders that helped drive production growth, according to a private-sector survey released Tuesday.

The Caixin/S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 50.4 in June from 48.3 in May, beating expectations in a Reuters poll. A reading above 50 signals expansion, while below indicates contraction.

The rebound contrasts with Monday’s official PMI, which showed factory activity contracting for a third consecutive month. Despite the improvement, new export orders remained in contraction territory across both surveys, signaling lingering pressure on China’s outbound shipments heading into the second half of 2025.