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China’s factory activity returns to growth in September amid AI boom

By Thomson Reuters Sep 29, 2026 | 8:45 PM

BEIJING, Sept 30 (Reuters) – China’s factory activity returned to ​growth in ‌September, an official survey showed on Wednesday, as easing ‌weather ​disruptions allowed ⁠factories to ⁠resume operations and a global artificial intelligence boom supported ​the industrial sector.

The official manufacturing ⁠purchasing managers’ ⁠index (PMI) rose ​to 50.1 from 49.8 ​in August, ending ‌two straight months of contraction, according to the ⁠National Bureau of Statistics. That matched the median ⁠forecast ‌of 50.1 ⁠in a ​Reuters ‌poll.

The 50-point mark ​separates expansion ⁠from contraction.

(Reporting by Kevin Yao and Ellen Zhang; Editing by Kevin ​Buckland)