The Chinese government on Friday approved a $1.4 trillion plan to revive the economy, authorizing local governments to refinance crushing debts that have left some cities unable to pay their bills. The move caps a series of steps that China’s leaders started rolling out in September to stimulate growth.

China top legislative body approved a bill on Friday to allow local governments to issue 6 trillion yuan ($838.8 billion) in bonds to swap for off-balance sheet or "hidden" debt over three years, as policymakers sought to spur the sluggish economy.

China gave indebted local governments a 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) lifeline but stopped short of unleashing new stimulus, preserving room to respond to a potential trade war when Donald Trump takes office next year.

China unveiled a 10 trillion yuan ($1.40 trillion) debt package on Friday to ease local government financing strains and stabilise flagging economic growth, as it faces fresh pressure from the re-election of Donald Trump as U.

Friday's announcement is the latest in a string of stimulus measures China has taken to turn around its ailing economy.

China has approved a six trillion yuan ($837 billion) plan to bolster its ailing economy by allowing local governments to swap out their hidden debt, unveiling additional stimulus measures to counter a potentially volatile growth path marked by the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House.

SINGAPORE/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China top legislative body approved a bill on Friday to allow local governments to issue 6 trillion yuan ($838.8 billion) in bonds to swap for off-balance sheet or "hidden" debt over three years,