BEIJING, May 30Reuters China39;s manufacturing activity in May likely grew at a similar pace to the previous month when it barely managed to stay expansionary, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday, reinforcing the fragile nature of the recovery in the world39;s No.2 economy.

The official purchasing managers39; index PMI was forecast at 50.4 in May, unchanged from April, according to the median forecast of 33 economists in the poll. The 50point mark separates growth from contraction.

One third of respondents forecast manufacturing activity cooled this month, including Standard Chartered, who returned the lowest reading of 50.1. Conversely, ING forecast market conditions ticked up to 50.8 this month, and Goldman Sachs returning a reading of 50.6, just above Barclays39; 50.5 forecast.

Taken together, the contrasting forecasts underlined the heightened uncertainty about China39;s growth outlook as authorities continue their efforts to stabilise the crisishit property sector, which remains a major drag on the economy.

China39;s economy blew past expectations to post growth of 5.3 in the first quarter, and a string of recent economic indicators for April including factory output, trade and consumer prices suggest the 18.6 trillion economy has successfully navigated some nearterm downside risks.

But analysts say the jury is still out on whether the bounce is sustainable.

Sentimentbased surveys have often presented a more negative picture of the economy than some of the hard…