China’s factory activity expanded in March from record low in February – official survey

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China's factory activity expanded in March from a February-low, but many question how sustainable the recovery is as the global spread of coronavirus hammers overseas demand and threatens a steep economic slump.

China’s official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) bounced to 52 in March from a record low of 35.7 in the previous month, shows data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday. That's compared to a reading of 45 expected by analysts in a Reuters poll.

The 50-point mark separates monthly growth from contraction.