China manufacturing slows down in April

China's manufacturing growth slowed in April, according to official figures.

The country's purchasing managers' index (PMI), which is designed to provide
a snapshot of conditions in the manufacturing sector, fell to 52.9 in April,
from 53.4 in March.

The fall, which was not expected, indicates the government's efforts to slow
economic growth are working.

China has been tightening monetary policy in an attempt to rein in
inflation.

It repeatedly raised interest rates and ordered banks to keep a higher
amount in reserve.

China's economy has been growing at above 10% a year, economists believe
that rate will ease only slightly to 9.5% for 2011.

April marks the 26th straight month that the official PMI has stood above
the threshold of 50 that demarcates expansion from contraction.

In a further sign that the curbs were having an impact, the purchasing
managers' index also showed that the input price index fell 66.2 in April,
from 68.3 in March, a seven months low.

It was the 26th straight month that the official PMI had stood above the
threshold of 50 that demarcates expansion from contraction.