World IN BRIEF : HONG KONG : Legislature OKs Initial Reforms

Gov. Chris Patten’s push for electoral reform in Hong Kong, despite strong Chinese government opposition, cleared its first legislative hurdle. The British colony’s 60-member Legislative Council overwhelmingly passed a “first stage” reform bill containing the least controversial elements of a reform package that Patten unveiled in October, 1992. The bill’s passage allows Patten to begin work on a second bill containing further reforms. That bill--which China finds even more objectionable--includes steps to significantly broaden the voting base for future elections. China says it will scrap such reforms when it assumes control of the colony in 1997.