China on Thursday refused to confirm reports that the much-delayed funeral of deposed Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang would be held in Beijing [Images] on Saturday.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said relevant departments were in touch with Zhao's family for making 'proper' arrangements for his funeral.

Earlier reports stated that Zhao would be cremated at the Babaoshan Cemetery, the main burial site for China's revolutionary heroes in Beijing, on Saturday.

The delay in Zhao's cremation is apparently due to serious differences between China's ruling Communist Party and the family of purged party chief.

Zhao's family is pressing the Communist Party to give him a posthumous fair appraisal in his funeral eulogy.

The Communist chief died at a Beijing hospital on January 17 after almost 16 years of house arrest. Zhao was ousted for opposing the Chinese army crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Kong said the funeral would be closed to the media and no foreign dignitaries would be invited for it.

Hong Kong media reported that a room in Zhao's home in Beijing has been converted into a mourning hall.

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