The Centre for Social and Political Development Studies aims to explore and summarize experiences and lessons from the practice of “one country, two systems”; to generate scientific and applied theories and formulate relevant policies for the reference of stakeholders from different sectors of society; and to stimulate research on local social and political transformations. Its concrete objectives include: analysing the structure and special nature of social class and political groups in Hong Kong; promoting high-quality research on local society, politics, and related policies; unearthing and developing think-tank talent through related research; and providing a platform for rational and evidence-based discussions on local social and political developments.

The Social Indicators and Social Development of Hong Kong Programme is operated under the auspices of the Centre. The Programme focuses on measuring and studying social developments in Hong Kong. Its prime purpose is to build a comprehensive system of social indicators for Hong Kong, consisting of a set of longitudinal data on the subjective and objective dimensions of social conditions and social changes in the territory. Such data will contribute to evaluations and formulations of public policies as well as to analyses of patterns of social change and explorations of social issues and problems.