Indexes indicate business picking up

China's manufacturing purchasing managers index stood at 52 in March, up from 35.7 in February, showing a significant, positive change in production and business operations from the previous month.

The nonmanufacturing business activities index was 52.3, compared with 29.6 last month. The comprehensive PMI output index rose to 53 from 28.9, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

"The month-over-month PMI rebound in March reflected the improvement in production and business operations from the previous month, as the majority of enterprises are steadily pushing ahead with the resumption of work and production. But it does not mean that the actual status of production has returned to the level before the novel coronavirus outbreak," said the head of the service survey center at the NBS.