Full coverage: China's Economic Data

China's manufacturing sector returned to expansion in March. It's the first time Chinese factories have hit a new high since last June. The latest official purchasing managers' index, or PMI, stood at 50.2, a nine month high and above the 50 line which separates growth from contraction.

Several factors were behind the increase. The sub-index measuring new orders for exports rose 2.8 to 50.2. That's the first sign of expansion since October 2014. The sub-index for imports climbed to 50.1, the highest level since December 2013.

Analysts credit accelerating supply-side reform, a steady recovery in commodities and rising demand in international trade, for pushing the PMI above the 50 line. Economists are optimistic that the robustness will continue.