The United States in December asked the WTO to examine what it alleges are multimillion-dollar subsidies given only to companies that make wind turbines with Chinese parts, in violation of international rules.

"We have made very substantial progress through our various dialogues with China," US Trade Representative Ron Kirk told a conference of the National Bureau of Asian Research.

Asked specifically if he hoped to reach a settlement on the wind turbines, Kirk said: "I would hope so."

Kirk said that he considered WTO action a last resort as cases can drag on for years and harm US companies, especially smaller ones.

"Our goal is always -- get it resolved, and get it resolved fast," Kirk said.

Kirk pointed to Beijing's promise, made at top-level trade talks in December, to consider foreign companies' experience outside of China when considering them for wind power projects.

Beijing has required companies to demonstrate work inside China, rules that foreign competitors said made it impossible to do business as their records were in their home countries.

China has been stepping up investment in clean energy as it copes with severe pollution and soaring emissions of carbon blamed for global warming.

A study released Tuesday by the Pew Charitable Trusts, a US group which supports environmental protection, said that China's investment in clean energy rose last year to $54.4 billion, more than any other country.

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