China official manufacturing activity unexpectedly expands in March
BEIJING (Reuters) - Activity in China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly expanded in March, an official survey showed on Friday, adding to hopes that downward pressure on the world's second-largest economy is easing.
The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stood at 50.2 in March, compared to the previous month's reading of 49 and above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.
Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a reading of 49.3.
(Reporting by the Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Kim Coghill)
