China's June factory activity improved marginally but still remained in the contraction territory, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday.

The official purchasing managers index for China's manufacturing sector edged up to 49 in June from 48.8 in May, shrinking for the third consecutive month, data from the NBS showed. The index remained below the 50-point mark that separates contraction from growth.

The sub-indexes for production and new orders came in at 50.3 and 48.6 in June, respectively, up from 49.6 and 48.3 in May.

China's non-manufacturing PMI came in at 53.2 in June, down from 54.5 a month earlier. Also, the country's official composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities, came in at 52.3 in June compared with 52.9 in May, according to the NBS.

ouyangshijia@chinadaily.com.cn