China's official manufacturing PMI edged higher in August

China's manufacturing sector moved closer toward recovery in August as the key gauge edged up for a third straight month, official data showed on Thursday.

China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index stood at 49.7 in August, up 0.4 index point from the previous month, marking an increase of three consecutive months, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.

The three-month rebound of the index reflects the trend of sustained and stable recovery in China's economy, said Cai Jin, vice president of the China.