Image copyright AFP Image caption A number of young, pro-democracy activists have been elected to the Legislative Council

China has warned that anyone advocating Hong Kong's independence could be punished, state media say.

The stern message came after young pro-democracy activists won seats on Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo).

The Chinese government underlined its "resolute opposition" to any independence activities on the council or outside it.

Many in Hong Kong are increasingly concerned about Beijing's interventions in its politics.

Thirty pro-democracy candidates were elected to the 70-seat LegCo on Sunday, up from 27 previously, meaning they retain the ability to veto major constitutional changes.

At least six young candidates who support self-determination or some level of greater independence for Hong Kong won seats.

Hong Kong's elections in five insults

They include Nathan Law, a 23-year-old who played a prominent role in 2014's "Umbrella Protests".

Several candidates were banned from running in the elections for failing to prove they no longer backed Hong Kong's independence.

Who is Nathan Law?

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Who are Hong Kong's new young lawmakers?

The student activist and former Occupy protest leader is the most high-profile of the pro-democracy names to win a seat.

He co-founded the Demosisto Party with well-known activist Joshua Wong and will now become the youngest lawmaker in Hong Kong.

Convicted for his role in civil disobedience during the "Umbrella Protests", the soft-spoken activist has said the former British colony must be allowed a referendum on its future. He has said he does not want Hong Kong to become "just another Chinese city".

Read more

The Chinese government is strongly opposed to more political independence for Hong Kong.

In a statement, China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office noted candidates had been publicly advocating for independence during the election campaign.

"We firmly support the Hong Kong SAR [special administrative region] government to mete out penalties according to law," the Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted it as saying.

Tuesday's local edition of the state-owned China Daily newspaper said the election result could lead to "separatist ideas" being floated in the LegCo, AFP news agency reports.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Many of the activists who ran for election cut their teeth in 2014's "Umbrella Protests"

While Hong Kong is a Chinese SAR, it is run under the principle of "one country, two systems".

This arrangement gives the former British colony a high degree of autonomy and allows it to preserve its economic and social systems until 2047.

Sunday's election was the first in the territory since 2014's street demonstrations, when central areas of Hong Kong were paralysed for weeks by mostly young protesters calling for more autonomy from China.