Organized by Savantas Liberal Arts Academy (SLAA), “Savantas Liberal Arts Academy Public Policy Study Programme Summer 2021” (the programme) officially started its first lecture on 29 May. Mrs Regina IP, Principal of SLAA, was the first speaker, the topic was “Electoral Reform and Implications for Hong Kong’s Constitutional Development”. Participants learnt more about the five principles of improving the electoral system, the evolution of political reform, the new functions and roles of the election committee, and the modification of the electoral committee’s voter qualifications after this lecture.

Mr Alex Wong, Policy director of Savantas Policy Institute, mentioned in his welcome speech that the programme can give participants an in-depth understanding of public policy in all aspects, cultivate people who may develop their interest in public service in Hong Kong, and increase their understanding of the overall situation of national development.

The sharing was mainly in two parts. Mrs Ip first introduced the background and five principles of improving the electoral system, as well as the process of amending Annex 1 and Annex 2 of the Basic Law. She believes that improving the electoral system can reshape the political structure of Hong Kong. In the second part, she described the evolution of the political reform, including the distribution of seats in the Legislative Council and the Legislative Council before and after 1997, the comparison of functional groups before and after1997, and the changes to the election committee. Among them, she also introduced in detail the new functions and roles of the Election Committee, the Candidate Qualification Review Committee, the qualifications of Chief Executive Election candidates, changes in seats in different functional and geographical constituencies, and changes to the electorate qualifications of the Election Committee. She believes that the above changes can further enhance the election system. Finally, Mrs Ip also answered questions from the participants, including the quality of members under the improvement of the election system, and the impact of “patriots ruling Hong Kong” on the general election of the Chief Executive.

Policy director of Savantas Policy Institute, Mr Alex Wong, is giving welcoming speech.

Ms Regina IP, the Principal of SLAA, is giving a lecture.

Participants asked questions actively.