BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's manufacturing activity expanded for a fifth month in December.

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 51.4 in December, lower than 51.7 in November and staying above the 50-point boom-bust line for the fifth straight month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in a statement.

This is the second highest monthly reading this year.

The sub-index for production registered at 53.3, low than 53.9 in November.

The sub-index for new orders stayed at the same level as the previous month, the highest point this year.