China's services activity expanded at a slower pace in January, with the Lunar New Year holidays worsening employment, but business sentiment improved, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday. The Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers' index (PMI),

China’s services sector expanded at a slower pace in January as growth in new business softened and employment contracted, according to the latest Caixin/S&P Global survey.

China’s manufacturing activity unexpectedly declined for a second straight month in January, underlining the need for Beijing to step up economic stimulus with Donald Trump slapping tariffs on the country’s exports.

China's factory activity grew at a slower pace in January, while staffing levels fell at the quickest pace in nearly five years as trade uncertainties increased, a private-sector business survey showed on Monday.

The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing manager's index came in at 50.1 in January, missing Reuters poll forecast of 50.5. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday signed executive orders to impose 10% tariffs on Chinese goods — 25% on Mexican and most Canadian imports — starting Tuesday.

China's manufacturing sector expanded slightly at the start of 2025. Manufacturing production rose at a quicker pace amid higher new business inflows. As a result, purchasing activity and inventory levels both increased.

Zichun Huang, China economist at Capital Economics, said: "The Caixin manufacturing PMI released today adds to evidence that China's economy lost some momentum in January. The breakdown suggests that exporters were downbeat even ahead of Trump's latest tariff announcement.