House Oks Legislation To Expand Radio Free Asia, Voice Of America

Radio Free Asia and the Voice of America would broadcast continuously into China and in multiple dialects and languages under legislation that easily cleared the House Sunday.

The bill was the last of several measures approved by the House this past week. Most berated the Chinese government for human rights abuses, a week after President Clinton hosted President Jiang Zemin at the White House.

The broadcast bill passed 401-21 and was sent to the Senate, where action on any of the anti-China measures was not expected until next year.

The bill authorizes $20 million for Radio Free Asia and $10 million for the Voice of America to expand broadcasts to 24 hours a day across China and to increase the number of translations.