News In Brief

Superpower A-race getting 'white hot,' Zhao warns

Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang warned Tuesday that the nuclear arms race between the two superpowers was becoming ''white hot'' and praised Canadian leader Pierre Elliott Trudeau's disarmament initiative.

Mr. Zhao said Monday, before leaving for Canada, that his visit to the United States was ''successful'' because of the strong desire of the American people to strengthen US-Chinese relations but that the Taiwan issue is hampering improvement.

Zhao also said that China would allow Hong Kong to retain its capitalist economic system when Peking regains sovereignty over the British crown colony in 13 years.