China’s factory activity contracted at its fastest pace in 16 months in April, as steep US tariffs took a heavy toll on the manufacturing sector, adding urgency to Beijing’s efforts to roll out fresh economic stimulus.

Higher tariffs on U.S. imports of products from China appear to be taking a toll on the world's second-largest economy, according to monthly surveys of Chinese factory managers released Wednesday. The official survey by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing shows export orders slowed in April,

China's factory activity slowed at the start of the second quarter, with a sharp fall in new export orders and the resumption of employment declines, a private-sector survey showed on Wednesday.