Asia’s manufacturing struggle amid uneven recoveries. On Thursday, business surveys revealed that Asia’s biggest economies’ factories accelerated in May as supply chain issues eased, but weak global demand remained a major issue for many exporters.

China and Japan’s purchasing managers’ indices (PMIs) indicated manufacturing activity rise in the month, but South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan’s PMIs declined.
India’s industrial activity has risen the fastest since October 2020, indicating strong demand and output in Asia’s third-largest economy.

The patchwork PMIs indicated an inconsistent rebound from the pandemic, particularly in China, the world’s second-largest economy, and clouded the region’s growth prospects but offered some hope.

According to PMI surveys, China’s economic recovery continued in May but at a slower pace. “Falling fiscal support hurt construction,” said Capital Economics analyst Julian Evans-Pritchard.
“But manufacturing output ticked up and the service sector is still seeing decent gains, suggesting that Q2 GDP growth may not be as bad as many fear.”

China’s Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI rose to 50.9 in May from 49.5 in April, over the 50-point index that separates growth from contraction.

A Reuters poll predicted 49.5, but Wednesday’s actual PMI showed a deeper decrease.

“Current economic growth lacks internal drive and that market entities lack sufficient confidence, highlighting the importance of expanding and restoring demand,” said Wang Zhe, Senior Economist at Caixin Insight Group.

The Caixin survey found that China’s 12-month business confidence slipped to a seven-month low due to global economic concerns.

Japan’s final au Jibun Bank PMI increased to 50.6 in May, it’s highest rating since October, as the economy’s delayed reopening from influenza constraints boosted demand.

However, Wednesday’s statistics revealed that Japanese industry output unexpectedly decreased in April. A manufacturer survey predicted a 1.9% gain in May, but a government official said weak international demand increases the probability of a downward adjustment.

In Asia, South Korea’s PMI rose to 48.4 in May from 48.1 in April but fell into its longest contractionary streak in 14 years as sluggish global demand hurt output and orders.

The surveys found factory activity fell in Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines in May, while the Philippines increased.

Asia’s economy depends on China’s uneven growth, with services expenditure outpacing export-oriented sectors.

Asia’s GDP is expected to increase by 4.6% this year after 3.8% in 2022, accounting for 70% of global growth, according to May IMF predictions.

However, it trimmed next year’s Asian growth prediction to 4.4% and warned of dangers from stickier-than-expected inflation, weakening global demand, and U.S. and European banking sector stress.