Asia factory activity weakens, uncertainty on China clouds outlook

Export-reliant Japan, South Korea and Taiwan bore the brunt of sluggish global demand with their manufacturing activity remaining stagnant in November, according to surveys. — Reuters

TOKYO: Asia’s factory activity remained weak in November on soft global demand, surveys showed yesterday, with mixed signs on the strength of China’s economy clouding the outlook for the region’s fragile recovery.

China’s private Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) unexpectedly rose to 50.7 in November from a 49.5 reading in October, exceeding the 50 mark separating growth from contraction and surpassing analysts’ forecasts.