Equipment, high-tech sectors spearhead China's manufacturing PMI expansion in June

Equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing were the primary growth drivers of China's expanding factory activity in June, underscoring the country's accelerating shift toward innovation-driven, high-end production, according to a leading industry expert.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector rose to 50.3 in June, up 0.3 percentage points from May, marking expansion for the fourth consecutive month, latest data jointly released Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) showed.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while one below 50 reflects contraction.

A breakdown of the headline figure by industry showed that equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing emerged as the standout performers.

The PMI for the equipment manufacturing sector came in at 52.5 percent in June, up 0.4 percentage points from May and marking the fourth consecutive month of expansion.

The high-tech manufacturing PMI registered even stronger growth, rising 0.6 percentage points to 53.5 percent, also its fourth straight monthly increase. This acceleration is closely tied to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI)-related industries.

Looking at quarterly trends, the average PMI readings for equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing in the second quarter stood at 52.1 percent and 52.9 percent, respectively.

Both figures not only remained at robust levels but also significantly outpaced their first-quarter averages and the quarterly averages of the same period last year, a clear indication that the structural transformation of China's manufacturing base is deepening.

"The momentum in both equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing points to strong demand and supply on both sides of the new growth drivers. The pace of expansion is accelerating, and the spearheading role these sectors play in the broader manufacturing landscape is becoming increasingly evident," said He Hui, vice president of CFLP.

On the expectations front, the production and business activity expectations index for June reached 54.3 percent, up 0.4 percentage points from May. The uptick suggests that Chinese manufacturing firms are growing more optimistic about market conditions in the months ahead.

"Looking at specific industries, the production and business activity expectations index for specialized equipment, railway/ship/aerospace equipment, and electrical machinery and equipment all remained above 57 percent, firmly in the high-confidence territory. This indicates that companies in these sectors are increasingly optimistic about their industry outlook," said Huo Lihui, chief statistician at the Service Survey Center of the NBS.

Equipment, high-tech sectors spearhead China's manufacturing PMI expansion in June

Ordinary citizens in Venezuela have been mobilizing in extraordinary numbers to offer their assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the country last Wednesday.

The two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Monday the death toll from the disaster had risen to 1,719, with 5,034 others injured. More than 15,800 people had been affected.

Since the deadly quakes, a wave of spontaneous solidarity has swept across the South American country, including the capital city Caracas, where long lines of volunteers have been formed at registration sites.

They include professionals from all walks of life, such as doctors and translators, each ready to support in whatever way they can to the relief efforts.

"There are several people who need us to bring them medication and supplies. People up there haven't arrived yet to provide support, but it hasn't been affected as such, because the building didn't collapse per se -- it did suffer some damage, but we are focused on collecting whatever we can up here," said Erick Herrera, a volunteer told the China Media Group at a registration site in Caracas.

Medical professionals are in particularly high demand. Healthcare workers are not only treating the injured in hospitals but are also traveling directly to the affected zones to perform emergency first-aid, evacuate the wounded, and handle the task of recovering and identifying the deceased.

"We would like to go to the rescue area to continue waiting for those who may still be alive. However, there is also a great deal of work to be done in the pathology area and in helping people who are searching for their missing loved ones -- at least so they can identify them and have their remains, and the deceased can have dignity and be properly buried," said Yaritza Rodriguez, a doctor.

Meanwhile, collection points have been set up across Caracas for people to donate essential supplies to the quake victims.

Neomar Galindo, another volunteer, walked through the organized chaos of donated materials to the CMG crew reporting from a collection point.

"This is the clothing area where donations are piling up -- donated clothing of any kind for men and especially children, and shoes of all types. And in this area, as you can see over there, are medical supplies, food, diapers, and medicine and utensils for storing food," he said.

Venezuelans rally in massive volunteer effort after deadly quakes