Cargo ships handle foreign trade containers at Qingdao Port in East China's Shandong Province on June 20, 2025. Photo: VCG

 
Global manufacturing activity showed a continued recovery in June, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) posting its second consecutive month of growth, according to data released by the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP) on Sunday. While the global PMI remained slightly below expansion territory at 49.5, Asia emerged as the growth leader with its PMI reaching 50.7.

China's economic resilience has been central to Asia's positive performance, serving as a regional growth engine and a stabilizing force for global recovery, Chinese experts said. Beyond its manufacturing strength, China is actively facilitating international cooperation through high-profile expos and trade fairs, which have become increasingly vital, offering businesses worldwide crucial opportunities to navigate economic uncertainties and achieve mutual growth, they said.

According to the CFLP, the global manufacturing PMI rose 0.3 points to 49.5 in June, the second consecutive monthly increase, though the reading remained slightly below the 50 threshold that separates expansion and contraction. 

In comparison, the Asian manufacturing sector outperformed the global trend, with its PMI climbing to 50.7, an increase of 0.3 points from May. 

He Hui, vice chairman of the CFLP, told the Global Times on Sunday that the global manufacturing PMI has remained below the 50 percent threshold for four consecutive months, indicating significant challenges in sustaining the economic recovery. 

He emphasized that countries should enhance supply chain resilience, accelerate technological innovation, and promote diversified market strategies to stabilize growth. 

The figure was in line with China's recently released data, which showed that the nation's manufacturing PMI rose for the second consecutive month in June.

Eleven out of 21 surveyed industries were in the expansion range, four more than the previous month, indicating a broader scope of prosperity in manufacturing,according to Zhao Qinghe, a senior statistician at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 

Among the highlights, the production and new orders indices entered expansion territory, with the production index at 51.0, up 0.3 points from the previous month and the new orders index at 50.2, up 0.4 points, showing accelerated production and improved market demand, according to Zhao.

Amid growing uncertainties involving the global recovery, China's economy demonstrates remarkable resilience. As the world's second-largest economy, China has maintained its leading contribution to global growth, serving as a crucial engine for regional economic development, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The continuous expansion of innovative momentum provides solid support for its positive growth trajectory. Particularly in the process of technological innovation and industrial upgrading, China stands at the forefront of cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy, vividly illustrating the robust vitality of new growth drivers, Wang said.

Key economic indicators have continued to improve, with new growth drivers gaining momentum. 

In May, China's industrial production above designated size grew by 5.8 percent year-on-year, maintaining robust expansion. High-tech manufacturing output above designated size surged 8.6 percent, significantly outpacing overall industrial growth, according to the NBS.

At the same time, China is accelerating the pace of market opening and providing abundant opportunities for global collaboration through a series of high-profile international expos.

The third China International Supply Chain Expo will take place in Beijing from July 16 to 20, with Thailand as the guest country of honor. So far, 650 companies from 75 countries and regions, as well as international organizations, have confirmed their participation. 

More than 65 percent of the exhibitors are Global Fortune 500 companies or industry leaders, while overseas participants account for 35 percent of the total, according to the event's organizer, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

These platforms serve as stabilizing forces for global industrial and supply chains, especially amid rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainties. By facilitating the joint participation of upstream and downstream enterprises, they ensure seamless connectivity and resilience across international production networks. Moreover, these expos provide premium venues for multinational enterprises to engage in technological co-innovation, negotiate trade agreements, and explore investment opportunities, Wang said.