China's manufacturing activity contracted for a second consecutive month in November, an official survey showed on Thursday, suggesting that more efforts are needed to consolidate the foundation for economic recovery.

China's official purchasing managers index for the manufacturing sector fell to 49.4 in November from 49.5 in October, below the 50-point mark that separates contraction from growth, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.

Zhao Qinghe, an NBS statistician, said that manufacturing PMI declined as November marks the traditional off-season for some manufacturing sectors, and the reading was also impacted by factors such as insufficient market demand.

"The foundation for recovery still needs consolidation," Zhao said in a statement posted on the bureau's website.

The sub-index for production came in at 50.7 in November from 50.9 in October, while the gauge for new orders declined to 49.4 in November from 49.5 a month earlier, the NBS said.

China's non-manufacturing PMI came in at 50.2 in November, down from 50.6 a month earlier. Also, the country's official composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities, came in at 50.4 in November compared with 50.7 in October, according to the NBS.