Hong Kong's Legislative Council has held its opening session with pro-Beijing lawmakers occupying almost all of the body's seats as a result of its election last month.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at the start of the session on Wednesday that her government hopes to work with new lawmakers and achieve substantial results.

She expressed intent to pursue a plan to develop the territory's north near the border with mainland China, and seek legislation to tighten control.

China's national emblem was displayed in the chamber above that of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

China's emblem is larger than Hong Kong's, giving the impression that the council is a local Chinese legislature.

Political party leaders and other lawmakers visited the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen last week and met high-ranking Chinese officials in charge of Hong Kong issues. They were directly instructed to firmly retain their stance as patriots.

In December, Hong Kong held its first Legislative Council poll since electoral reform under the current Chinese leadership that advocates the "principle of patriots administering Hong Kong."

Pro-Beijing members swept the election, while only one centrist won and the pro-democracy camp failed to obtain any seats.