China's manufacturing expanded for the first time in threemonths as output and new orders climbed, adding to signs growth inthe world's second biggest economy is rebounding after aseven-quarter slowdown.

The Purchasing Managers' Index climbed to 50.2 in October from49.8 in September, the National Bureau of Statistics and ChinaFederation of Logistics and Purchasing said today in Beijing. Aseparate survey from HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics was atan eight-month high.

Shanghai's benchmark stock index rose the most in three weeks asthe reports added to evidence of a pickup in expansion this quarterafter industrial production, exports and retail sales acceleratedin September. The data may also reduce pressure on outgoing PremierWen Jiabao to roll out more stimulus measures during aonce-a-decade power handover that begins with a Communist Partycongress next week.