Manufacturing momentum maintained

China's vast manufacturing sector continued its steady recovery last month, fuelling optimism that a brighter future for economic growth awaits than has been suggested by China's gloomy stock market.

The good news was flagged in an influential index yesterday.

The index, compiled through the polling of executives in charge of purchasing materials, rose to a 16-month high as companies continued to benefit from the government's 4-trillion-yuan ($585 billion) stimulus package.