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The United States and China have reached an agreement that lifts Chinese trade barriers and opens the way for Beijing to join the World Trade Organization. The agreement was announced in Beijing Monday after 6 days of hard bargaining. It offers US farmers and businesses access to the Chinese telecommunications, banking and insurance industries. But the US Congress will have to grant Beijing normal trade status before US producers can enjoy the benefits of wider Chinese markets. The agreement is winning praise from government and business leaders worldwide. President Clinton applauded Chinese leaders for committing their country m open markets. Japan’s foreign minister said he hopes China’s trade talks with other countries will speed up now so that Beijing can speedily join the World Trade Organization. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called the accord a major step toward giving China its rightful place in the multi-lateral trading system.