(Yicai Global) July 1 -- Aprivate gauge of factory activity in China climbed to a six-month high in June, extending its gains to a second month.

The Caixin purchasing managers' index for manufacturing, which covers 500 mainly small and private businesses, rose 0.5 point to 51.2 last month from May, according to figures released today.A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below reflects contraction.

Thatreinforces the official PMI manufacturing data the National Bureau of Statistics published yesterday. That index, whichencompasses 3,000 mostly state-run companies,rose for a fourth month in a row in June, increasing 0.3 point to 50.9.

Editor: Ben Armour