China's manufacturing sector hasn't been spooked by the thoughts of a potential global trade war. Official data shows the country's purchasing managers' index, or PMI -- which gauges the strength of the sector -- came in at 51.5 for the month of March, accelerating from last month's 50.3. This was well above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. Experts say the data reveals how the sector switched into a higher gear over the past four weeks, as seasonal demand picked up both at home and abroad. They said the end of China's Lunar New Year holiday also contributed to the rise.