China's weak economic recovery continued to be seen in May after published data showed a contraction in the manufacturing sector.
The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the manufacturing PMI index fell deeper to 48.8 this month, from 49.2 recorded the previous month.
While the non-manufacturing PMI index showed an expansion of 54.5 but decreased from the previous month's 56.4.
For information, the number 50 separates the difference between expansion and contraction of an activity. If the reading above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 the opposite.
The latest data shows that Beijing continues to struggle to record recovery after the full lifting of Covid-19 restrictions at the end of last year.
The world's second largest economy is also witnessing continued weakness in exports, strengthening in the real estate market fading and businesses experiencing a drop in profits.
In the wake of that, calls for more stimulus are growing, with many hoping for a cut in interest rates.
A string of gloomy data, risk-sensitive currencies such as the Aussie, New Zealand, Canadian dollar all tumbled in the Asian session and drove the safe-haven US dollar higher.
As the world's second largest economy, weakness in growth could affect other currencies that the country's economy depends on.
