China’s manufacturing sector shows signs of cooling in May, according to official data cited by multiple outlets. The official manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics eases to 50 from 50.3 in April, indicating only marginal growth. Sources note that the PMI uses a 0-to-100 scale, where readings above 50 typically signal expansion and below 50 contraction. While the headline figure remains at around the midpoint, underlying components also weaken. One report says the new orders sub-index falls to 49.9 from 50.6 in April, moving just below the expansion threshold. The production sub-index edges down slightly to 51.2 from April, suggesting slower momentum on the factory floor. Several articles describe the data as raising questions about the broader economy’s ability to maintain resilience amid external pressures and uncertainty affecting demand. Overall, the reporting converges on a picture of a manufacturing slowdown rather than a sharp contraction, with growth continuing but at a reduced pace.