BEIJING: China's factories suffered their fastest drop in activity for a year as new orders fell in April, a private business survey showed on Monday, hardening the case for fresh policy stimulus to boost a flagging economy.
The HSBC/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 48.9 in April - the lowest level since April 2014 - from 49.6 in March, as demand faltered and deflationary pressures persisted.
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