China's manufacturing sector maintained its expansionary momentum in January, with growth driven primarily by a pickup in new orders, according to data from S and P Global, sponsored by RatingDog, a financial technology and credit research firm based in south China's Shenzhen City.
The country's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing stood at 50.3 in January, remaining above the 50.0 expansion threshold for a second consecutive month and marking a three-month high.
The uptick in new orders was bolstered by stronger export demand, particularly from Southeast Asian markets.
However, business confidence has fallen to a nine-month low, raising concerns about rising input costs, which threaten to erode profit margins.
Raw material prices climbed for the seventh straight month in January, posting their sharpest increase since September 2025, according to the report.
China's RatingDog Manufacturing PMI rises to 50.3 in January
Uruguay's dairy giant Conaprole is stepping up its presence in China, signing a strategic cooperation agreement with a local partner to strengthen commercial and technical ties.
The push comes as President Yamandu Orsi leads a week-long visit in China with a high-level business delegation until February 7.
Speaking to China Global Television Network (CGTN), Conaprole president Gabriel Fernandez Secco outlined plans to expand the cooperative's footprint in China and detailed its newly signed partnership with a Chinese dairy firm.
"This trip is very important for us. China is very important for us, it's the most important market in terms of dairy products. And Conaprole exports more than 80 percent of our products to more than 75 countries. We have a lot of clients here in China, but we want to improve our participation," he said.
According to Secco, shared investment in research and production technology will drive improvements in quality and long-term sustainability.
"Basically, the combination between the two, the technical equipment of the both companies to improve the quality, health, and sustainability of our production. Conaprole offers a wide range of products. But in terms of international markets, milk powder is the most important product, not only between Conaprole and the Chinese companies but worldwide. But we export all the products to the Chinese market. We think that we can add other products in the near future," he said.
Uruguay's Conaprole expands China dairy partnership
