(Yicai Global) Sept. 30 -- China's purchasing managers' index clawed back this month as manufacturing activity increased, but failed to surpass the 50 point mark that represents expansion.

The PMI for manufacturing sat at 49.8 for September, up 0.3 point from August, according to data published by the National Bureau of Statistics today. 

The figure for non-manufacturing sectors was 53.7, down from 53.8 in August, while the services PMI rose 0.5 point to 53.