China growth seen as slowing

China expects to announce 9.5% GDP growth for the second half of 2005, but predicts a slower 8.5% to 9% rise in 2006, state media reported. Investment bank CLSA agrees, noting that its own Purchasing Managers' Index for China fell to 50.1 in October from 50.9 in September, the lowest in the year and a half history of the survey. Said CLSA economist Eric Fishwick: "Conditions facing manufacturers continue to deteriorate. Orders are slowing."