Global manufacturing PMI up slightly in Jan

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Global manufacturing PMI up slightly in Jan

2026-02-06 10:05 Last Updated At：02-07 12:28

Global manufacturing activity increased 1.5 percentage points to 51 percent in January, marking an end to a 10-month stretch of contraction, according to an index published by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) on Friday.

A reading below 50 generally indicates contraction in the sector, while a reading above 50 signals expansion.

The federation said that Asian manufacturing continued to expand, with its purchasing managers' index (PMI) standing at 51 -- remaining above the critical point for nine consecutive months.

According to the CFLP, the manufacturing PMI in Europe and the Americas both rose, largely boosted by an increase in stocks in major European and American countries after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The European manufacturing PMI came in at 50, up 0.7 percentage points month on month, with indexes in the UK, France, Greece, and Germany rebounding. The Americas manufacturing PMI reached 51.8, 3.9 percentage points higher than one month ago.

The federation noted that Africa's manufacturing PMI declined 1.1 percentage points to 49.6, largely due to trade frictions and geopolitical conflicts.

Experts warned that global trade flows, market confidence, and supply chain stability will continue to face challenges as international trade tensions have not eased significantly, and the potential risks of geopolitical conflict have not been eliminated amid persistently sluggish effective demand in the global market.

Promoting multilateral trade cooperation remains the main approach to overcoming challenges and stabilizing global economic growth, said experts.

Tokyo residents urge PM Takaichi to uphold pacifist constitution

Some Japanese people said on Thursday that the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must firmly uphold the pacifist constitution.

Their remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Japan from Tuesday to Thursday.

Attending a joint press conference with Takaichi on Wednesday, Macron emphasized that France and Japan have agreed on the importance of on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East and upholding international law.

Many saw this as a response to a strongly worded post by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, which criticized France for refusing to cooperate with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Some locals in Tokyo expressed their opposition to Japan's involvement in any war, but said Japan could offer help when the conflict in the Middle East ends.

"I think that Prime Minister Takaichi could offer support, provided that we wouldn't get involved in an armed conflict, such as minesweeping operations at sea, as Japan has the best minesweeping technology in the world," said a resident in Tokyo.

"I'm not entirely sure what consequences will follow Trump's demands. There may be additional tariffs, among other things. Our constitution prohibits [Japan's] from getting involved in war, and Prime Minister Takaichi should uphold this principle," said another resident.