China's manufacturing activity expands slower in January

BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- China's manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in January, official data showed Wednesday.

The country's manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at 51.3 this month, decelerating from 51.6 in December, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below reflects contraction.