PREVIEW / Some of the business and economic events happening today:

Barshefsky to Beijing: Top U.S. trade envoy Charlene Barshefsky heads to China today to take stock of Beijing’s bid to join the World Trade Organization, but chances of a deal any time soon appear slim. U.S. officials have expressed hope that China would use the upcoming U.S. visit of Premier Zhu Rongji to make a fresh commitment to join the global trading regime by year-end, when a new round of world trade talks is set to begin. But officials are throwing cold water on expectations that Barshefsky, who will be in China through Thursday, might clinch a deal in time for Zhu’s April visit.

*

Honors for Supermodel: How’s this for a role model? Cover girl Kathy Ireland on Friday will receive the Entertainment Businesswoman of the Year award from the Los Angeles chapter of the National Assn. of Women Business Owners. The group is lauding the supermodel for her off-runway achievements, including her women’s clothing line and exercise videos.

NAWBO-LA also will honor television personality Cathy Lee Crosby with its Inspiration Award, and Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder of Torrance-based Act 1 Personnel Services, will be named the chapter’s Woman Business Owner of the Year.