Survey: China manufacturing growth in September holds steady at low level, exports improve

A survey has found China's manufacturing activity in September held steady at the previous month's low level, indicating the world's second-largest economy faces risks to growth.

HSBC Corp. said Tuesday its monthly purchasing managers' index stood at 50.2 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 indicate expansion. It was unchanged from August's 3-month low.

A measure of export orders rose to its highest level since March 2010.

China's economy grew by 7.5 percent over a year earlier in the quarter ending in June but manufacturing, housing sales and other indicators suggest growth might be weakening.

HSBC economist Hongbin Qu said in a statement, "We think risks to growth are still on the downside and warrant more accommodative monetary as well as fiscal policies."