While thousands of Hongkongers took to the streets to fight for democracy, the 16th anniversary of the handover was being celebrated by thousands of others, according to event organisers.

Premier Li Keqiang urged health officials to reduce the fatality rate of the H7N9 bird flu and release information to the public in a timely manner as the deadly strain spreads in southern China.

Wang Guangya told Beijing-loyalist lawmakers last week that the central government had consistently upheld, and continued to uphold, the principle that "'one country' is the premise and foundation for 'two systems'" - a reference to the "one country, two systems" formula guiding Hong Kong affairs under Chinese sovereignty.

More health measures will be taken on flights in and out of the city, the health minister said yesterday, as Hongkongers breathed a sigh of relief after a cabin crew member tested negative for novel coronavirus.

Traders of contraband milk formula are shifting their operations to a historic street in the border town of Sha Tau Kok, which lets them skirt tighter checks on parallel exports that began on Friday.

An angry crowd of more than 1,000 people marked Senior Citizens Day yesterday by accusing the government of failing to give a commitment to the long-awaited universal pension scheme.