Key points  Flash China Manufacturing PMI™ at 52.0 in July (50.7 in June). 18-month high.  Flash China Manufacturing Output Index at 52.8 in July (51.8 in June). 16-month high. Commenting on the Flash China Manufacturing PMI survey, Hongbin Qu, Chief Economist, China & Co - Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC said: “ The HSBC China Manufacturing PMI rose further to 52.0 in the flash reading for July. Both new orders and new export orders expanded at a faster pace than in June. The employment and prices sub - indices also improved. Meanwhile, stocks of finished goods cont racted at a slower pace. Economic ... (full story)