The Chinese manufacturing PMI declined to 50.0 in July from 50.2 in June. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged.

A reading above the 50 mark indicates expansion, a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

The index reflected the weakness in new orders and new export orders, employment and prices for materials.

"Both domestic and external manufacturing remain weak," Zhao Qinghe, an economist at the National Bureau of Statistics, said.

The final Chinese Markit/Caixin manufacturing PMI declined to 47.8 in July from 49.4 in June, missing expectations for a fall to 48.2.