Beijing 'no' to reform changes

CHINA confirmed yesterday it would not support any amendments to Governor Chris Patten's reform proposals.

Deputy Director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Wang Fengchao, said: ''It is entirely a matter for the political groups if they are going to amend the political package, no matter whether it is the 1992 or the 1993 model.'' Mr Wang's remark dealt a blow to Liberal Party legislator James Tien Pei-chun's call for legislators who are also Hong Kong affairs advisers to support the Liberal Party's and some independent legislators' move to water down the proposal.

Mr Wang said the three-tier structure should be re-established by 1997 regardless of which model had been approved.

by the legislature.