China’s Factory And Services Activity Both Plunges In March 2022 Driven By Domestic COVID-19 Resurgence And Disruption Due To Ukraine Conflict
Covid-19 cases rising in China.China's manufacturing and services sectors both contracted for the first time in two years in March as the domestic COVID-19 resurgence disrupted economic activity, data released on Thursday (Mar 31) showed.
The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 49.5, from 50.2 in February, according to the country's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). A reading below 50 indicating contraction.
Another index- Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)- also fell to 48.1 in March, indicating the sharpest contraction since February 2020, from 50.4 in the previous month. Caixin survey (a privately run) tracks small firms in coastal regions compared with the official NBS survey.
The official March composite PMI, which tracks both factory and services activity, plunged from 51.2 in February to 48.8 – the second-lowest reading since the index dropped to 28.9 in February 2020 at the peak of Wuha coronavirus outbreak.
Resurgence in domestic Covid-19 cases especially in key business hubs, latest virus outbreaks in China, disruptions in international shipping and greater market uncertainties from the Ukraine crisis led customers to cancel or suspend orders.
Chinese government is still pursuing its zero-Covid” policy, which involves hadr lockdowns and mass testing. Shanghai authorities on Sunday ordered a snap lockdown covering different parts of the city across eight days.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.
