China's manufacturing activity expanded at the lowest pace in four months in March as slowing export demand prompted companies to quickly dispose of workers as they seek to cut costs.
The PMI index fell to 51 points in March from 51.6 points in February, as market expectations referred to slightly surge to 51.7 points. The March reading is the lowest since November.
The index, which measures small-scale activity, showed demand and production growth slightly in March as export orders fell to their lowest level in 10 months amid growing concerns about a possible US-China trade war.
