Clinton victory on China trade

A key committee of the United States Congress has approved a bill granting trade benefits to China.

The bill will now go next week to the House of Representatives, which is sharply divided on the issue.

The thirty-four to four vote in the House's Ways and Means Committee was a victory for President Clinton, who favours granting China what's known as Permanent Normal Trade Relations.

Earlier, the United States Senate's finance committee also approved the bill; it's expected to be passed by a clear margin in the Senate next month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service