China's manufacturing growth slowed in April, according to official figures.
An index designed to provide a snapshot of conditions in the manufacturing sector fell to 52.9 in April from 53.4 in March, the BBC reports.
The unexpected fall indicates the government's efforts to slow economic growth are working.
China has been tightening monetary policy in an attempt to rein in inflation. It has repeatedly raised interest rates and ordered banks to keep a higher amount in reserve.
China's economy has been growing at above 10% a year, economists believe that rate will ease only slightly to 9.5% for 2011.
