Chinese manufacturing production picks up

Domestic demand has been strong within China

China's manufacturing production rose strongly last month, figures suggest.

The China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said its purchasing managers index (PMI) rose to 55.2 in November, up from 54.7 in October and 53.8 in September.

Analysts said strong domestic demand appeared to be offsetting weakness in some of the country's export markets such as the US and Europe.

Separate data showed production slowed in Japan and Australia.

Monthly PMI readings in China have stayed above 50 - which indicates expansion - for 21 straight months.

The latest data showed that China's economy grew at an annual pace of 9.6% in the three months to the end of September from 11.9% in the first quarter of this year.