Well-financed pro-Beijing parties swept district polls in Hong Kong, official results showed Monday, ahead of bigger elections next year when the territory's leader will step down.

Sunday's vote was more closely watched than usual because under reforms passed this year, district councillors will be able to run for new seats in the Legislative Council in 2012.

Fifteen years after Britain handed control of the territory back to China, the so-called "super seats" are part of measures intended to boost grassroots representation in the assembly, which is only partially directly elected.

A post-handover record of 1.2 million voters cast their ballots, representing turnout of around 41.4 percent, according to official figures.

Some 839 candidates competed for 336 available seats, with hot issues including housing shortages, social welfare and the rising cost of living.

Pro-Beijing party the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) secured 136 of a total of 412 district seats, compared to only 47 for the Democratic Party, leading the pro-democracy camp.

A total of 76 seats went uncontested.

The Federation of Trade Unions, another supporter of Beijing's strong influence in Hong Kong's affairs, took 29 seats after fielding only 48 candidates.

Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho managed to hold onto his seat but voters rejected many democratic heavy-weights including the Civic Party's Tanya Chan and Ronny Tong, and prominent labour rights legislator Lee Cheuk-yan.

"The people of Hong Kong have spoken clearly. This is a warning to the pro-democracy camp, especially the Democratic Party," Democratic Party vice chairman Sin Chung-kai said.

"The results of this election are a blow to the party."

Chief Executive Donald Tsang, whose term expires in June next year, said strong turnout was a victory for democracy in the city of seven million people. He made no comment on the pro-Beijing camp's success.

"I am delighted with the turnout rate. It is clearly higher than most of the forecasts in the past week," he told reporters.

"It truly reflects that Hong Kong people support the work of the District Council and today are participating actively in the election process."

Chinese University political scientist Ma Ngok said the pro-Beijing bloc had greater financial firepower and organisational focus than the pro-democracy parties, which are also split over tactics.

"The pro-Beijing camp has gotten a lot more skilled at the election games and are becoming a threat to the democratic camp," he told AFP.

Hong Kong enjoys liberties that mainland Chinese territories do not, and maintains its own political and legal system under the "one country, two systems" model hammered out for the city's 1997 return to China.

But the chief executive and half the lawmakers in the Legislative Council, or mini-parliament, are selected by committees loyal to Beijing, a constant source of concern for pro-democracy activists.

Ho told local broadcaster RTHK: "Our opponent is getting more and more powerful, well organised and very skilful in mobilising the voters."

"It seems the pro-democracy camp has become more vulnerable," he said, adding: "We really have to work out a better strategy to face the future."

DAB chairman Tam Yiu-chung said the pro-Beijing party had won the people's support and trust.

"Our slogan 'We will work for you' reflects the wishes of the people. We will serve the people of Hong Kong to the best of our abilities," he said.

Next year's legislative polls, a date for which has not yet been set, will determine if DAB's district-level success translates into more seats in the Legislative Council.