Hong Kong’s leader says the government will “seriously reflect” on a crushing defeat for the pro-Beijing establishment in Sunday’s district council elections.

Pro-democracy parties took 388 of a possible 452 seats, or nearly 90 per cent, a stunning swing from winning just 125 the last time these elections were held four years ago, according to public service broadcaster RTHK.

The result comes amid a backdrop of six months of anti-government protests, and even embattled chief executive Carrie Lam admitted that it reflected “people’s dissatisfaction with the current situation and the deep-seated problems in society”.

Street demonstrations were largely put on hold while the vote took place, and Ms Lam said in a statement the government respected the results and wished “the peaceful, safe and orderly situation to continue”.

Her government would “listen to the opinions of members of the public humbly and seriously reflect”, Ms Lam said.

Pro-democracy leaders hailed the results as sending a clear message for Beijing to end what is widely viewed as the encroachment of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Show all 24 1 /24 Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police in riot gear move through a cloud of smoke as they detain a protester at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University AP Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester takes cover under an umbrella Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protestor reacts to police officers EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Pro-democracy protesters react after the police fired tear gas outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A pro-democracy protester holds a placard EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters react as police fire tear gas AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban An anti-government protester is silhouetted during protests Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Tear gas engulf umbrellas Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester lowers himself down a rope from a bridge to a highway, to escape AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban People form a human chain to pass materials as they gather for a march towards Hong Kong Polytechnic University AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters are seen after leaving the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Pro-democracy protesters during clashes with police outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police spray blue-dyed liquid AP Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters are sprayed with blue liquid from water cannon during clashes with police outside Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Hong Kong, China, November 17, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu TYRONE SIU Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police officers detain a protester AP Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban An injured protester is evacuated by ambulance EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Injured people are taken away after clashes Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester throws back a tear gas canister fired by police at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong on November 17, 2019. - Hong Kong police fired tear gas on November 17 morning at protesters intent on keeping their stranglehold on a major tunnel as pro-democracy activists vowed to "squeeze the economy" into next week. (Photo by Ye Aung Thu / AFP) (Photo by YE AUNG THU/AFP via Getty Images) YE AUNG THU AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police arrest anti-government protesters Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester's umbrella is seen on fire during clashes with police outside Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Hong Kong, China November 17, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Medical staff carry a protester out of the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters try to extinguish a tear gas canister Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters take a rope down from a bridge to a highway, to escape from Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protestor gestures during a confrontation with police AP

“This district election shows that the central government needs to face the demands of a democratic system,” said Wu Chi-wai, chair of the Democratic Party, Hong Kong’s largest anti-establishment party. “Today’s result is the first step of our long way to democracy.”

Tommy Cheung, a former student protest leader who won a seat in the Yuen Long district close to China‘s border, called it a “democratic tsunami”. “This is the power of democracy,” he said.

But even as the champagne flowed and opposition groups celebrated the victory, there were clear signals from Beijing that the Communist Party views the result as changing little.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Tokyo, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said that “no matter what kind of things happen in Hong Kong, Hong Kong is a part of Chinese territory”.

He added: “Any attempts to destroy Hong Kong or harm Hong Kong’s stability and development cannot possibly succeed.”

The state-run China Daily newspaper said in an editorial on Monday the election “will hopefully have served as an opportunity to return the city to normal”.

“The relative tranquillity the city enjoyed since several days before the election suggests all stakeholders regarded it as an opportunity to air their views,” it said.

UK foreign minister Dominic Raab said he welcomed the elections and was “reassured” by Carrie Lam’s response.

“There is now an opportunity to find a way through the crisis with political dialogue that reflects the legitimate aspirations of the people of Hong Kong and respects the one country two systems model”, he added.

The protest movement began with major rallies in June as a response to attempts to pass a now-withdrawn extradition bill. Its leaders now insist they will not give up until their “five demands” – including a change of government and amnesty for those arrested during the protests – be met.

In practice, Hong Kong’s district councils mostly deal with highly localised issues, though they do have some say in the process for selecting the city’s chief executive. Voter interest is traditionally low, with the last election’s turnout registering at just under 1.5 million people.

On Sunday, more than 3 million of Hong Kong’s estimated population of around 7 million took part, equivalent to a turnout of 71 per cent of registered voters. Lester Shum, a former student leader who won a seat, said it seemed the general public had come out “to show their support for the [protest] movement, and the five demands, and their dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong government”.