China's Manufacturing Grew, But Weakly, In January

BEIJING (AP) - Two surveys show China's manufacturing activity expanded in January, adding to signs of an economic recovery, but growth was weak.

The government-sanctioned China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said Friday its purchasing managers' index stood at 50.4 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 show an expansion. Separately, HSBC Corp. said its index stood at 52.3 on a similar 100-point scale.

In a reflection of the shaky state of China's recovery, the logistics group's index showed a small decline from December.

China's economic growth rebounded to 7.9 percent in the three months ending in December, up from the previous quarter's three-year low of 7.4 percent. Analysts warn, though, that the country could face a setback if trade or investment growth weakens.