A Chinese manufacturing gauge slipped to the lowest level in 18 months, adding pressure on policy makers to do more to support growth.

China’s manufacturing grew in November in the latest sign the world’s second-largest economy is recovering from its deepest slump since the 2008 global crisis, a survey showed.

China’s manufacturing grew in June by its slowest pace in seven months, a survey released today showed, raising questions about Beijing’s efforts to prevent the world’s second biggest economy from slowing too quickly.

Asian stocks rose today, lifted by a positive report on US manufacturing, but shares in Japan sank as a strengthening yen hurt the country's powerhouse export sector.

World markets continued to suffer big losses today after the Greek Prime Minister announced a shock referendum on a vital aid package and fuelled fresh fears for the future of the eurozone.