China's manufacturing sector performs strongly in March, but challenges remain

Beijing

CHINA'S vast manufacturing sector rebounded in March as millions of factories finally reopened, but the uptick may be short-lived with the Covid-19 virus hitting economies worldwide and a looming global recession.

Both the official and Caixin/Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) surprised on the upside in March, rising to over the 50-point mark after a record low registered in February, but analysts remain cautious arguing the figures may have been boosted by the very low base of comparison with the previous month.