China's manufacturing activity unexpectedly grew in December, snapping eight straight months of decline, giving policymakers some confidence as they raced to meet their economic ​growth target for the year. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 50.1 in December from 49.2 in November, the National Bureau of Statistics' survey showed on Wednesday, above the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction. It beat analysts' forecast of 49.2 in a Reuters poll. The data should give policymakers cause for optimism after choosing to see out the year without major additional stimulus to meet the ... (full story)