A Hong Kong journalists' group said Sunday that freedom of expression and tolerance for dissent in the city have deteriorated, as Beijing consolidates its power in the former British colony.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said in its annual freedom of expression report that Beijing has become more aggressive in pursuing its policies towards the territory, while the city's police have become less tolerant of protestors.

The group called on Hong Kong's next chief executive to resist pressure to enact national security legislation and to safeguard freedom of expression and press freedom.

Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997, with the agreement that the territory would retain a semi-autonomous status under the “one country, two systems” model, with civil liberties granted to the territory that are not enjoyed in mainland China.