Warning on HK

China's senior spokesman for Hong Kong has said any resumption of Sino-British talks on the colony's future will be 'impossible' if the Governor, Chris Patten, introduces his political reform proposals to the local legislature.

Talks will be 'impossible, completely impossible and absolutely impossible' if the draft bill goes before the Legislative Council, Lu Ping, head of China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Department, told reporters late on Sunday. Mr Patten is to decide today whether or not to table the reform package in the council.

(First Edition)