AlthoughChina has won praise for honouring its promise of autonomy under a ``one country, two systems'' formula, pro-democracy politicians say the concept has been weakened by the local administration appealing to Beijing to re-interpret the Basic Law -- the post-handover Constitution -- to tackle a feared influx of mainland immigrants.

``The Government is paying more importance to the one country rather than the two systems. This is becoming an excuse to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy,'' said Law Yuk-kai, director of Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor. The Chinese Vice-President reiterated on Thursday that Beijing was determined to maintain the ``one country, two systems'' formula which allows Hong Kong people to administer the territory with a high degree of autonomy. ``No matter what happens, the great socialist country will be a strong backing for the continued prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,'' he said. Hong Kong maintains its status as a free port and a hub of international finance, trade and navigation,and keeps its extensive ties with foreign countries and international organisations, he noted.

Protesters, using loud hailers to have their messages heard as a backdrop to the official speeches on Thursday, called for democracy in China and for top Chinese top officials, including former premier Li Peng, to be tried for the military crackdown on pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square in June 1989. When there were no official speeches, a police band drowned out the demonstrators.