To further strengthen think tank development and better support Beijing in advancing its role as the center for international exchanges, the Think Tank for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges (hereinafter referred to as the “Think Tank”) held a council meeting on February 28. The meeting reviewed achievements and experiences in think tank development and mapped out the priorities for the next phase. Yang Weimin, Member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Committee of 13th CPPCC National Committee, and Director of the Think Tank’s Academic Committee, along with Xiong Jiuling, Director-General of the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality (Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality), and Chairperson of the Think Tank, attended and addressed the meeting.

The meeting highlighted that since its establishment, the Think Tank has diligently studied and implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on the development of new-type think tanks with Chinese characteristics, and followed the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal Government. Centered around the fundamental question of “what kind of center for international exchanges to build and how to build it”, the Think Tank has carefully planned and organized research projects, established policy advisory platforms such as the Special Report on Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges, and actively fostered expert resources. As a result, its professional, constructive, and practical policy recommendations have provided intellectual support to the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government in their decision-making.

The meeting emphasized the importance of adhering to the principle of Party leadership over the Think Tank, with political building guiding all aspects of Think Tank development. The Think Tank should maintain its core role of policy advisory and high-level positioning, ensuring that all its efforts always stay on the right course. The meeting called for continued attention to major theoretical and practical issues related to the development of the center for international exchanges. With a strong focus on the priorities and decision-making needs of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal Government, the Think Tank is encouraged to leverage its expertise, industry insights, and experience to conduct in-depth research and analysis, thereby enhancing its capacity to support decision-making. Furthermore, open development is crucial. This involves actively drawing on intellectual resources both domestically and internationally to build a distinctive brand, thereby steadily strengthening the Think Tank’s influence and visibility. The meeting also highlighted the need to refine rules and regulations, optimize internal governance structure, and create enabling conditions for directors and experts to perform their roles effectively.

The meeting reviewed and approved the Fund Management Rules on the Development of Think Tank for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges (Revised Version) and Research Project Management Measures for Think Tank for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges. Additionally, a new academic committee was elected. Attendees included the Think Tank’s vice chairpersons, council members, and academic committee members, as well as representatives from the Beijing Federation of Social Science Circles (BFSSC) and the Beijing Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science.

Further Reading:

In July 2021, with the approval of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal Government, the Think Tank for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges, was officially established. Managed by the Office of Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges, it was designated as a pilot organization among the capital’s high-end think tanks. The Think Tank is committed to developing Beijing into a center for international exchanges with Chinese characteristics and global influence. It focuses on developing forward-looking and targeted policy options to support the scientific decision-making of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government.