Economic Growth - In July 2025, China's industrial added value grew by 5.7% year-on-year, slowing down by 1.1 percentage points from June[9] - Fixed asset investment from January to July 2025 increased by 1.6% year-on-year, a decrease of 1.2 percentage points compared to the first half of the year[10] - Social retail sales in July 2025 rose by 3.7% year-on-year, down 1.1 percentage points from the previous month[10] Trade and Exports - In July 2025, China's total exports reached $321.78 billion, a year-on-year increase of 7.2%, up 1.4 percentage points from the previous month[38] - Imports totaled $223.54 billion in July 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 4.1%[51] - The trade surplus for July 2025 was $98.24 billion[38] Inflation and Prices - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in July 2025 showed no growth year-on-year, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month[57] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) fell by 3.6% year-on-year, remaining stable compared to the previous month[57] Monetary Policy - New social financing in July 2025 was 1.16 trillion yuan, a decrease of 64.8% compared to July 2024[14] - New RMB loans in July 2025 were -50 billion yuan, a drop of 119% year-on-year[14] - M2 money supply grew by 8.8% year-on-year, reflecting a stable expansion of monetary supply[15]

Group 1 - The excessive packaging of products is a growing concern in China, with consumer associations advocating for reduced packaging to promote green consumption and ensure compliance [1][2] - Packaging waste accounts for approximately 30%-40% of urban household waste in China, with significant resource consumption involved in producing packaging materials [1] - The Chinese government has implemented stricter regulations and standards to combat excessive packaging, resulting in a notable reduction in high-priced gift boxes and improved packaging efficiency in e-commerce [1][2] Group 2 - Luxurious packaging is often associated with issues like gift-giving violations and distorts the meaning of consumption, highlighting the need for a cultural shift towards more responsible consumption practices [2] - The packaging industry is crucial for connecting manufacturing and consumption, and there are opportunities for growth in sustainable packaging solutions, such as biodegradable materials [2][3] - The overall consumer goods industry must foster a green consumption trend by breaking old consumption habits and enhancing the supply of innovative, quality products that balance environmental considerations with consumer experience [3]

Economic Overview - In July, the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to 49.3%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, influenced by seasonal production slowdowns and extreme weather conditions [1] - The non-manufacturing business activity index and the comprehensive PMI output index were 50.1% and 50.2%, respectively, both down by 0.4 and 0.5 percentage points, yet remaining above the critical point [1] - Despite short-term fluctuations due to extreme weather, production activities maintained expansion, indicating a solid foundation for economic recovery [3] Manufacturing Sector - The manufacturing new orders index fell to 49.4%, down 0.8 percentage points from last month, while the production index was at 50.5%, still in the expansion zone for three consecutive months [1] - The equipment manufacturing PMI and high-tech manufacturing PMI were 50.3% and 50.6%, respectively, both above the critical point, indicating ongoing expansion in high-end equipment manufacturing [1] - The consumer goods industry PMI was 49.5%, down 0.9 percentage points, while the high-energy-consuming industries PMI improved slightly to 48%, up 0.2 percentage points [1] Price Trends - The main raw materials purchasing price index rose to 51.5%, and the factory price index was at 48.3%, increasing by 3.1 and 2.1 percentage points, respectively, indicating an overall improvement in manufacturing market prices [2] - The purchasing price index for major raw materials in sectors like petroleum and coal processing, as well as black metal smelting, showed significant recovery [2] Business Activity by Company Size - In July, the PMI for large enterprises was 50.3%, down 0.9 percentage points, with production and new orders indices at 52.1% and 50.7%, respectively, indicating sustained good operational conditions [2] - The PMI for medium-sized enterprises increased to 49.5%, up 0.9 percentage points, showing continued improvement in business sentiment [2] - The PMI for small enterprises was 46.4%, down 0.9 percentage points, reflecting weaker business conditions [2] Non-Manufacturing Sector - The non-manufacturing business activity index was 50.1%, down 0.4 percentage points, with construction activity slowing due to adverse weather conditions [4] - The business activity index for the service sector was 50%, slightly down by 0.1 percentage points, while sectors related to travel and consumption showed strong performance with indices above 60% [4] - Non-manufacturing enterprises maintained stable optimism, with a business activity expectation index of 55.8%, up 0.2 percentage points, indicating positive outlooks for the second half of the year [4]

Group 1 - In July, the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was 49.3%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points month-on-month, indicating a slight contraction in manufacturing activity [1] - The non-manufacturing business activity index and the composite PMI output index were 50.1% and 50.2%, respectively, both showing a month-on-month decline of 0.4 and 0.5 percentage points, but remaining above the critical point, suggesting overall economic expansion [1] - The production index and new orders index were 50.5% and 49.4%, respectively, with declines of 0.5 and 0.8 percentage points, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing production but a slowdown in market demand [1][2] Group 2 - Extreme weather conditions in July, including heatwaves and floods, hindered outdoor construction and daily life, impacting market demand [2] - The main raw materials purchasing price index rose to 51.5%, and the factory price index was 48.3%, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 3.1 and 2.1 percentage points, respectively, indicating an improvement in overall market price levels [2] - The equipment manufacturing PMI and high-tech manufacturing PMI were 50.3% and 50.6%, respectively, both above the critical point, while the consumer goods industry PMI was 49.5%, showing a month-on-month decline of 0.9 percentage points [2] Group 3 - The production and business activity expectation index was 52.6%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points month-on-month, indicating enhanced confidence among manufacturing enterprises regarding market development [3] - The service industry business activity index was 50.0%, slightly down by 0.1 percentage points, but still within the expansion range, indicating overall stability [3] - The summer holiday effect positively impacted sectors related to consumer travel and spending, with indices for railway transport, air transport, postal services, and cultural and sports entertainment exceeding 60.0%, indicating rapid growth in business volume [3]

Economic Indicators - The manufacturing PMI for July is at 49.3%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from June, indicating a weak recovery and potential peak in economic growth momentum[1] - The new orders index fell to 49.4%, down 0.8 percentage points from the previous month, entering a contraction zone, suggesting tightening market demand[13] - The comprehensive PMI output index is at 50.2%, down 0.5 percentage points from last month, still indicating overall expansion in production activities[27] Sector Performance - The production index for July is at 50.5%, a decline of 0.5 percentage points, but remains in the expansion zone for three consecutive months[3] - Equipment manufacturing PMI is at 50.3% and high-tech manufacturing PMI is at 50.6%, both above the critical point, indicating continued expansion in these sectors[1] - The consumer goods industry PMI is at 49.5%, down 0.9 percentage points, while the high-energy-consuming industries PMI is at 48.0%, up 0.2 percentage points, showing mixed performance across sectors[1] External Trade and Demand - The new export orders index is at 47.1%, down 0.6 percentage points, reflecting cautious attitudes among foreign trade enterprises due to uncertainties in tariffs[16] - Port cargo throughput in July increased by 10.9% year-on-year, indicating some resilience in actual export volumes despite potential sustainability issues[17] Price Trends - The main raw material purchase price index rose to 51.5%, up 3.1 percentage points, marking the first rise above the critical point since March, indicating improved market price levels[18] - The factory price index is at 48.3%, up 2.1 percentage points, suggesting a slight recovery in manufacturing prices[18]

Group 1: PMI Trends - In July, the manufacturing PMI index fell by 0.4 percentage points to 49.3%, marking the fourth consecutive month below the threshold and the lowest in nearly six months[1] - The new orders index dropped significantly by 0.8 percentage points to 49.4%, with the consumer goods sector declining by 0.9 percentage points to 49.5% due to ongoing downturns in the real estate market[1] - The production index also decreased by 0.5 percentage points to 50.5%, influenced by extreme weather and weakened internal and external demand[1] Group 2: Export and Inventory Insights - The new export orders index fell by 0.6 percentage points to 47.1%, with high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors declining by 0.3 and 1.1 percentage points respectively, reflecting short-term impacts from delayed tariff negotiations[1] - The finished goods inventory index dropped by 0.7 percentage points to 47.4%, indicating a cautious outlook among enterprises amid weak demand[2] - Industrial enterprises are expected to maintain a moderate pace of inventory replenishment due to ongoing challenges in the real estate market and limited traditional infrastructure investment[2] Group 3: Service and Construction Sector Performance - The service sector PMI slightly decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 50.0%, remaining near the threshold, indicating stable growth in service consumption[2] - The construction sector PMI fell significantly by 2.2 percentage points to 50.6%, impacted by extreme weather conditions and limited traditional infrastructure investment due to debt concerns[2] - The political bureau meeting emphasized the importance of expanding consumer goods consumption, but did not extend the previous policies aimed at enhancing durable goods subsidies, suggesting a need for ongoing observation[3]

Core Viewpoint - The "anti-involution" policy has boosted prices, but supply and demand performance is counterintuitive [2][7][67] - The manufacturing PMI decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 49.3%, exceeding the average decline since 2017 [2][67] - The increase in commodity prices is reflected in the raw material purchase price index (+3.1 percentage points to 51.5%) and the factory price index (+2.1 percentage points to 48.3%) [2][67] Manufacturing Sector - The manufacturing PMI has marginally declined, with production and new order indices both decreasing [4][70] - The production index fell by 0.5 percentage points to 50.5%, while the new order index dropped by 0.8 percentage points to 49.4% [4][70] - The new export order index decreased by 0.6 percentage points to 47.1%, indicating a slowdown in market demand [4][70][35] Key Industries - High-energy-consuming industries are showing production strength despite price increases, with the steel industry PMI rising by 4.6 percentage points to return to the expansion zone [3][18][69] - The equipment manufacturing and consumer goods industries saw PMIs decline by 1.1 and 0.9 percentage points to 50.3% and 49.5%, respectively [3][18][69] - Investment demand weakened significantly, contrasting with the strong production performance in high-energy-consuming sectors [21][69] Non-Manufacturing Sector - The non-manufacturing PMI decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 50.1%, primarily due to a significant drop in the construction PMI [42][70] - The construction PMI fell by 2.2 percentage points to 50.6%, with the new order index dropping sharply by 2.2 percentage points to 42.7% [5][58][70] - The service sector PMI slightly declined, with the new order index remaining weak at 46.3% [5][46][70] Future Outlook - The political bureau meeting in July emphasized the need for further implementation of the "anti-involution" policy, focusing on the effects in downstream sectors and marginal changes in domestic demand [27][69] - The current situation indicates that the "anti-involution" policy in the upper reaches still requires further advancement, while high-energy-consuming industries are undergoing significant transformations [27][69]

Group 1: PMI Data Overview - In July, the manufacturing PMI decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 49.3%, while the non-manufacturing PMI fell by 0.4 percentage points to 50.1%[6][28] - The decline in manufacturing PMI is greater than the average drop of 0.1 percentage points since 2017[7][28] - The purchasing price index for major raw materials rose by 3.1 percentage points to 51.5%, marking the first increase above the critical point since March[7][18] Group 2: Sector Performance - The production index in July remained in the expansion zone at 50.5%, despite a 0.5 percentage point decline[2][13] - The new orders index fell into the contraction zone, decreasing by 0.8 percentage points to 49.4%[2][14] - High-energy-consuming industries, particularly the steel sector, saw a PMI increase of 4.6 percentage points, returning to the expansion zone at 48%[18][21] Group 3: Investment and Demand Trends - Investment demand weakened significantly in July, contrasting with the strong performance of high-energy-consuming industries[21] - The construction PMI dropped by 2.2 percentage points to 50.6%, with new orders falling sharply to 42.7%[21][42] - The business activity expectation index for the construction sector decreased by 2.3 percentage points to 51.6%[21] Group 4: Future Outlook - The political bureau meeting in July emphasized the need for further implementation of "anti-involution" policies, particularly focusing on mid- and downstream sectors[23] - The report suggests that the effectiveness of "anti-involution" policies in stimulating domestic demand will be crucial for future manufacturing performance[23]

Core Viewpoint - The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in China for July 2025 is reported at 49.3%, indicating a decline of 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, reflecting a downturn in manufacturing activity [1][4]. Manufacturing PMI Overview - The manufacturing PMI has decreased to 49.3%, with production index at 50.5% and new orders index at 49.4%, both showing declines from the previous month [1][4]. - The raw materials inventory index is at 47.7%, indicating a continued reduction in major raw material stocks, while the employment index has slightly increased to 48% [4][5]. - The supplier delivery time index is at 50.3%, suggesting that the delivery times for raw materials are improving [4]. Sector Performance - Key sectors such as railway, shipbuilding, aerospace, and computer communication electronics are showing active production and new orders, while sectors like chemical raw materials and non-metallic mineral products are underperforming [5][6]. - The equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors have PMIs of 50.3% and 50.6%, respectively, remaining above the critical point, indicating ongoing expansion [6][7]. Economic Outlook - There is potential for demand recovery, with expectations that economic stabilization policies may be implemented to boost PMI [5][6]. - The price index for major raw materials has risen, with the purchasing price index at 51.5%, marking the first increase above the critical point since March [6][7]. Inventory and Business Confidence - The finished goods inventory index has decreased to 47.4%, reflecting cautious inventory adjustments by enterprises [7]. - Business confidence is improving, with the production and business activity expectation index rising to 52.6%, indicating a more optimistic outlook among manufacturers [7].

Core Viewpoint - The manufacturing PMI decreased to 49.3% in July, indicating a slight contraction in the manufacturing sector, while the non-manufacturing business activity index remained above the critical point, suggesting overall economic expansion [1][3][6]. Manufacturing Sector - The manufacturing PMI fell by 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, attributed to seasonal production slowdowns and adverse weather conditions [3][4]. - The production index and new orders index were at 50.5% and 49.4%, respectively, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing activities but a slowdown in market demand [4]. - The manufacturing business activity expectation index rose to 52.6%, reflecting increased confidence among manufacturers regarding market developments [4]. - Key industries such as equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing maintained PMIs above the critical point at 50.3% and 50.6%, respectively, while the consumer goods sector saw a decline to 49.5% [4]. Non-Manufacturing Sector - The non-manufacturing business activity index was reported at 50.1%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, but still above the critical threshold [6]. - The service sector's business activity index remained stable at 50%, with significant growth in transportation and entertainment sectors due to summer holiday effects [7]. - The construction sector's business activity index decreased to 50.6%, influenced by adverse weather conditions, with a corresponding drop in the business activity expectation index to 51.6% [8]. Market Outlook - The overall market expectations in the service sector improved, with a business activity expectation index of 56.6%, indicating optimism among service providers [7]. - Experts suggest that increased government investment in public goods and infrastructure could help boost order volumes and stabilize economic growth in the latter half of the year [4][8].