Motion against Patten fails

Hong Kong - A motion calling on Chris Patten, Hong Kong's Governor, to abandon his political reform plans in order to restart consultations with Peking was rejected by the colony's Legislative Council (Legco) yesterday, writes Teresa Poole.

The motion, put forward by Philip Wong, representative for the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce who has backed Peking in the present row, was defeated by 35-2 votes. Most councillors, even those opposed to the Patten plans, said the Governor had the right to put his proposals to Legco, where they could be amended in debate. Fifteen members from one of Legco's largest political groups, the Co-operative Resources Centre, which does not support Mr Patten's package, abstained in yesterday's vote.