An employee works at a company manufacturing lithium batteries in Huaibei, in eastern China's Anhui province on November 26, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
BEIJING: China's factory activity grew in December but at a slower-than-expected pace, as overall sales were dampened by falling export orders amid concerns over the trade outlook, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday.
The data echoed an official survey on Tuesday showing manufacturing activity expanded modestly, reinforcing calls for more stimulus to spur growth this year as Donald Trump will soon take office and likely intensify U.S.-China trade tensions.
