Manufacturing under lingering pressure

Industry reports lowest March PMI in 9 years, driven by a weak rise in demand demand, latest figures reveal

China's manufacturing sector is still suffering from weak demand, according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index for March, adding to signs that the world's second-largest economy slowed in the first quarter.

Analysts said policymakers need to work out more measures to stabilize growth, given the fact that many economic figures released so far this year - including industrial production, fixed-asset investment and housing sales for the first two months - were all weaker than forecast.