China's July factory output shrinks, adds pressure to end economic slump

Workers check on the material for the Dongfeng truck at a manufacturing factory in Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province on May 12, 2023. [AP Photo]

Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed Monday, adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown.

A purchasing managers' index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June's 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.