Australian dollar knocked lower by Chinese manufacturing report

SYDNEY, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar fell a quarter of a U.S. cent on Thursday after activity in China's factory sector contracted in January for the first time in six months as new orders declined.

The Aussie dropped to a session low of $0.8800 AUD=D4 from around $0.8838 just before the data. China is Australia's single biggest export market. See

(Reporting by Ian Chua; Editing by Paul Tait)

((ian.chua@thomsonreuters.com)(+6129373 1871)(Reuters Messaging: ian.chua.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA DOLLAR/CHINA