1 September 2013 Last updated at 20:07 ET
China's manufacturing sector has been a key driver of its economic growth
China's manufacturing activity picked up speed in August, hitting a 16-month high, allaying some fears of a sharp slowdown in its economy.
The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 51 from 50.3 in July.
The PMI is a key gauge of the sector's health and a reading above 50 indicates an expansion.
China, the world's second-largest economy, has taken various steps to boost its economy after its growth rate slowed for two quarters in a row.
"We are seeing clearer signs of economic conditions improving," said Haibin Zhu, chief China economist at JP Morgan in Hong Kong.
Source: BBC News - Business http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23894483#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
