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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (Wednesday) welcomed the US House of Representatives' vote supporting the renewal of China's Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status (formerly known as Most Favoured Nation status) for another year.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the debate. As the Mainland and the US are our two largest trading partners, we are naturally delighted that the Mainland's NTR status in the coming year is assured. This will provide a useful basis for our businessmen to continue to plan their business with the Mainland and the US," a spokesman for the Trade and Industry Bureau said.

On July 27 (Washington time), the House of Representatives rejected a resolution to disapprove President Clinton's earlier decision to extend China's NTR status for another year without conditions attached.

End/Wednesday, July 28, 1999

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