China’s official manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index was unchanged last month, still indicating expansion, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese state-run news agency, citing National Bureau of Statistics data, says the manufacturing PMI reading was 50.4 points last month, the same as the month before.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

The report quotes National Bureau of Statistics statistician Zhao Qinghe as saying manufacturing production and demand both showed signs of becoming steadier.

The bureau says the non-manufacturing PMI reading rose to 53.7 points last month from 53.5 the month before.

Mr Zhao said the non-manufacturing sector was gradually picking up steam as enterprises became more confident, Xinhua reports.