China's manufacturing sector expanded for a sixth straight month in May, although at a slower pace, as output and new orders remained solid and price pressures eased, a private survey showed on Monday. The RatingDog China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, fell to 51.8 in May from 52.2 in April, but was slightly above analysts' forecast of 51.6. The 50-mark separates growth from contraction. "Overall, the manufacturing sector sustained its expansion in May, albeit at a slower pace. The easing of inflationary pressures provided some relief to firms' cost and pricing environments," said Yao Yu, founder of RatingDog. The reading was better than an official survey published on Sunday showing factory activity stalled in May, dropping to 50 from 50.3 in April.