House votes to back Clinton on China trade

The US House of Representatives voted to support President Bill Clinton's decision to renew China's most-favoured nation trade status for another year. The vote, six days before Hong Kong reverts to Chinese control, was on a resolution sponsored by Gerald Solomon, a Republican, that would overturn Mr Clinton's decision to renew normal trade relations with China for another year.

Opponents of normal trade relations said Mr Clinton's policy of engagement had failed to end rights abuses, religious repression, technology transfers or reduce the huge US trade deficit with China. But supporters of Mr Clinton's decision said cutting normal trade ties would do little to improve rights in China and could end up backfiring on the US and hurt Hong Kong at a time when it most needs US support. Reuters - Washington