China's factory activity grew at a slower pace in January, while staffing levels fell at the quickest pace in nearly five years as trade uncertainties increased, a private-sector business survey showed on Monday.

China’s manufacturing activity unexpectedly declined for a second straight month in January, underlining the need for Beijing to step up economic stimulus with Donald Trump slapping tariffs on the country’s exports.

Asia's factory activity weakened in January as soft Chinese demand and threats of higher tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump weighed on business sentiment, private surveys showed on Monday, darkening the outlook for the region's economy.

Factories across Asia expanded at a lackluster pace in January as demand cooled, ahead of a trade war that President Donald Trump kicked off on the weekend.