China's manufacturing activity is expected to shrink for a second consecutive month in February, according to a Reuters poll. The poll suggests that weak domestic demand and investment will offset resilient exports. The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) is predicted to fall to 49.1 from January's 49.3, below the 50-point threshold that separates growth from contraction. The survey is adjusted to reflect factory shutdowns around the Lunar New Year holiday, which economists argue still biases the result. Economists predict growth will slow to 4.5% this year and keep that pace in 2027. The Communist Party's top decision-making body, the Politburo, has pledged more proactive economic policies.