Once the White House formally submits a proposed sale, which has not happened yet in this case, lawmakers have 30 days to reject it.

"China, of course, is paying attention to this, and it opposes the deal," said a senior Chinese official, in a reference to the proposed American sale.

"This proposed sale is a perfectly legitimate and financially sound way to guide us through a very difficult fiscal period," the statement said.

E.g. Abe must only make the offer to Carl for any proposed sale in the first five years.

The sudden proposed sale of the theater plus lack of support, Sir Peter said, from the Arts Council, were among the factors he has cited.

The company also said it had retained the right to discuss a proposed sale with other interested parties.

But it has run into trouble with its proposed sale of its cable systems to Tele-Communications Inc. for $2.3 billion.

A proposed sale of the company was canceled in 2000 when a downturn in the exhibition industry led many companies to file for bankruptcy.

This proposed sale and purchase would reduce by more than one-third the F.D.I.C.

A proposed sale in 1948 to China and renaming to Hai C fell through and she was scrapped in 1966.