China's manufacturing activity expands slower in January

A Chinese worker assembles electric bikes at a plant in Huaian city, Jiangsu Province on May 7, 2016. [Photo: IC]

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.