Asia Manufacturing Powers Ahead as Virus Weighs on Outlook Jun 01 2021, 2:14 PM June 01 2021, 11:45 AM June 01 2021, 2:14 PM (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the New Economy Daily newsletter, follow us @economics and subscribe to our podcast. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the New Economy Daily newsletter, follow us @economics and subscribe to our podcast. Asiaâs manufacturing activity continued to advance in May, though at a slightly slower pace, despite flare-ups of Covid-19 around the region that could force some plants to close and weigh on sentiment. Taiwanâs IHS Markit May manufacturing purchasing managersâ index declined to 62 from Aprilâs 62.4, remaining well above the 50 level that signals expansion. New orders rose.