The data, as well as comments from companies that took part in the survey, indicate that Chinese companies have largely recovered from the storms, with indexes measuring production and new orders rising from February levels. The new orders index hit its highest level since October last year.

The overall conditions index rose to 65.69, up from last month's record low at 60.31 and just below January's 67.72. The index showing expectations for business conditions in three months stood at 71.53, largely unchanged from February's 71.65.

The input price index fell only slightly from February's record high, while the index measuring prices received rose to a record high for the third month in a row. The monthly survey was conducted March 10-25.

Since its inception in January, 2005, the survey has accurately tracked and predicted overall Chinese economic conditions, providing important intelligence ahead of government data. The survey has been especially important in indicating turnarounds in the economy.