HSBC flash China manufacturing PMI at 51.2 for September ACTIVITY in China's manufacturing sector expanded slightly in September to hit a six-month high, according to a leading survey. The HSBC flash China manufacturing purchasing managers' index for September printed at 51.2, after a read of 50.1 in August. A reading above 50 signals expansion. HSBC chief economist, China, Hongbin Qu said the PMI hitting a six-month high in September, added further evidence to China's ongoing growth rebound. "The firmer footing was supported by simultaneous improvements of external and domestic demand conditions," he said. We expect a more sustained recovery as the further filtering-through of fine-tuning measures should lift domestic demand. This will create more favourable conditions to push forward reforms, which should in turn boost mid- and long-term growth outlooks. The preliminary PMI figure is calculated using 85 per cent to 90 per cent of all responses to HSBC's monthly PMI survey and is issued about one week before the final PMI reading.