Manufacturing activity in China shrank for the seventh straight month in October, with the official purchasing-managers’ index dropping to 49.0 — its lowest in six months — as export orders continued to fall. Analysts link the weakness to front-loaded shipments ahead of prior tariffs and rising global trade headwinds. While non-manufacturing activity improved slightly, the overall trend underscores the fragility of China’s growth amid trade uncertainty and weak global demand. Stimulus may be required to stabilise the economy.