China's factory sector growth eased in April as new export orders fell for the first time this year, a private survey showed today, suggesting the euro zone recession and sluggish US demand may be risks to China's economic recovery.

The final HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to 50.4 in April from March's 51.6 and was largely in line with a flash reading last week of 50.5. Fifty divides expansion from contraction on a monthly basis.

China's official PMI yesterday painted a similar picture, falling to 50.6 in April from an 11-month high of 50.9 in March as new export orders fell.

The pull back in both the official and HSBC PMIs are likely to add to concerns over risks to China's economy in the short term, although most analysts expect a steady and gentle recovery this year, aided by government support.

"The slower growth of manufacturing activity in April confirmed a fragile growth recovery of the Chinese economy as external demand deteriorated and renewed destocking pressures built up," said Qu Hongbin, chief China economist at HSBC.

"The looming deflationary pressures also suggest softer overall demand conditions. All this is likely to weigh on the labour market, which is likely to invite more policy responses in the coming months."

A string of global data, including lower-than-expected US economic growth figures and record unemployment in the euro zone, has dented optimism seen at the start of the year that the world economy was picking up.

Hong Kong and China shares fell as the PMI put growth-sensitive counters on the defensive, although the yuan seemed to ignore the figures to continue its record breaking run higher. The data also weighed on regional stocks.

China's economic growth unexpectedly stumbled in the first quarter, slipping to 7.7 per cent versus 7.9 per cent in the previous three month period, as factory output and investment slowed.

Analysts polled by Reuters after the release of first quarter GDP expected China's economic growth to accelerate to 8.0 per cent in the second quarter. They forecast growth for the full-year would rise to 8.0 per cent from 7.8 per cent in 2012, which was the weakest pace since 1999.

The HSBC survey also showed a sub-index for new export orders dipped to 48.4, the first time it has retreated below 50 this year and the lowest level since last October, reinforcing concerns about the strength of the global economy.

Overall new orders rose at a slower clip last month, implying softening demand growth from domestic firms.

Reflecting the weakening orders growth and lower material costs, indexes for input and output prices fell in April to the lowest level since last September and August, respectively, the HSBC report showed.

"The across-the-board declines in the PMI reports point to soft industrial activity as we enter the second quarter. We maintain our growth forecast of 7.9 per cent (2013 annual) which we have held since last December, but see some downside risks," Barclays said in a note.

"The external sector is likely to be a major headwind for Chinese growth in the coming months."

The HSBC survey showed a sub-index measuring employment dropped below 50 in April for the first time in five months, although it said job losses were marginal, partially caused by resignation and retirement.

Employment is a decisive factor shaping government thinking because it is crucial for social stability.

At the depth of the global financial crisis in 2008/2009, an estimated 20 million rural migrant workers lost their jobs, prompting Beijing to unveil a 4 trillion yuan stimulus package to shore up the economy and provide employment.

The government has set a 2013 growth target of 7.5 per cent, a level Beijing deems sufficient for job creation while providing room to deliver reforms to the economy, reducing a reliance on exports for growth more towards consumption.

However, most economists believe China's labour market is holding up relatively well and Beijing may refrain from a looser monetary stance or stimulus to underpin the economy, as it may tolerate slower growth to make long-delayed reforms.

Reuters