RUBBER-Tokyo futures rise 1.7 pct on strong China data

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futuresended up 1.7 percent on Thursday, getting support from firmShanghai futures after a private survey showed upbeat Chinesemanufacturing data.

The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo CommodityExchange (TOCOM) for December delivery rose 3.4 yen tosettle at 205.0 yen ($2.02) per kg.

The contract jumped as high as 205.7 yen, the highest sinceFriday.

China's factory activity expanded at its fastest pace in 18months in July as new orders surged, a preliminary HSBC surveyshowed on Thursday, the latest indication that the economy ispicking up as government stimulus measures kick in.

The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futuresexchange for January delivery rose 340 yuan to finishat 15,700 yuan ($2,500) per tonne, after rising more than 3percent earlier.

"TOCOM got support from firm PMI data in China," said aTokyo-based broker who declined to be named. "But not manypeople expect rubber prices to rise much further, as demandwould not recover so easily."

The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOMexchange for August delivery last traded at 169.00 U.S.cents per kg, up 1.1 cent.

($1 = 101.4200 Japanese Yen)