The global manufacturing sector maintained a moderate recovery in November, although the pace weakened slightly compared with October, industry data showed Saturday.
The global manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) stood at 49.6 percent in November, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The reading has remained within the 49-50 percent range for nine consecutive months.
Regionally, Asia's manufacturing PMI stayed unchanged from October, remaining above the 50-percent mark that separates expansion from contraction. The European manufacturing PMI also held steady but remained below 50 percent.
The PMI for Africa's manufacturing sector fell from the previous month, dropping below 50 percent after staying above that level in October. The Americas' manufacturing PMI also declined in November, staying below 49 percent.
The data indicated that while the global manufacturing sector remained within a recovery track observed since the beginning of the year, the momentum of the rebound softened somewhat in November and still requires strengthening, according to the federation.
Experts said the global economy is recovering moderately within a certain range, with both upside potential and downside risks persisting.
In the long run, building a more inclusive, beneficial and win-win model of international cooperation among countries remains the fundamental path to sustaining steady and sound growth of the world economy, they added.
Global manufacturing PMI dips slightly in November amid moderate recovery
Global manufacturing PMI dips slightly in November amid moderate recovery
Global manufacturing PMI dips slightly in November amid moderate recovery
International figures have strongly criticized recent statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, calling them a blatant violation of international law and an unacceptable interference in China's internal affairs.
At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.
The remarks, which challenge China's sovereignty, have drawn sharp rebuke from observers across the globe, who warn such actions threaten regional stability.
Ruben Guzzetti, director of the Argentine Institute of Geopolitical Studies, said that "a substantial body of prior documentation establishes that Takaichi's statements constitute undue interference in China's internal affairs and a violation of its sovereignty. This is now clear, and it represents a very significant threat to international peace."
Echoing this sentiment, David Monyae, director of the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, contextualized the issue within historical memory.
"Given the history, the fascism and the damage that Japan caused, not just in China but the whole of Asia and the world during the Second World War, with all those atrocities, what we want is that Japan starts to recognize and starts stating clearly all the atrocities that it caused and to show a sign that it is reversing and it is not going to do what it did in the past. I think for Japan to bring back an imperialistic colonial mentality, it's something that is unacceptable," he said firmly.
The criticism also came from political figures. Tshilidzi Bethuel Munyai, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa, condemned the Japanese leader's statements as "reckless, absurd, and an act of transgression, blatantly undermining the deployed diplomatic achievements between the two countries."
"It erodes the foundation of political trust between China and Japan. It signals very reckless right-wing forces within Japan and the broader international community. By the way, China has firm resolve to safeguard the national sovereignty and as well as territorial integrity," said Munyai.
Amidst this international backlash, experts assert that China's demand for a retraction of Takaichi's remarks is fully justified. The consensus among critics is clear: such provocations undermine the foundations of international law and bilateral relations, and must be withdrawn to prevent further escalation.
Int'l voices condemn Japanese PM's remarks as unacceptable violation of China's sovereignty
