Survey finds China manufacturing bounce in March

(AP) A survey shows Chinese manufacturing rebounded modestly in March after dipping during a major public holiday the month before.

It's the latest sign of recovery in the world's second biggest economy.

HSBC said Thursday that a preliminary version of its purchasing managers' index for March rose to 51.7 on a 100-point scale. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

The reading fell to 50.4 in February, when businesses closed for up to two weeks for the Lunar New Year holiday. The survey found that production and new orders grew at a faster pace.

China's economy bounced back in the final quarter of 2012 after a deep slowdown. But analysts warn a recovery will be weak and gradual, with growth vulnerable if trade or investment weakens.