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How does a think tank policy come about? Lessons from China
In China think tanks are experiencing something of a Golden Age (at least if we consider the number of think tanks founded in the last few years and the support from the Party and the Government for their development). Unlike most other parts of the world, China has a think tank... Read full article -
What are the challenges that Chinese think tanks face?
For all the talk of a Golden Age of think tanks in China (and for all the support they receive) think tanks (old and new) face a number of challenges. These are similar to those faced by think tanks elsewhere yet with a 'Chinese' flavour. At a recent academic conference on think tanks in Asia... Read full article -
Are think tanks in Asia unique?
Two weeks ago, the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies and Tsinghua University convened a workshop in Beijing that was designed to gather contemporary research on the development of think tanks across Asia. Asia is home to many vibrant and expanding think tank communities, a fact... Read full article -
Think Tanks in China: A Golden Age?
According to many Chinese scholars at an event co-orgnised by the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University in Beijing, think tanks in China are enjoying of a Golden Age. Since President Xi Jinxing called, in... Read full article -
The China-Africa Think Tank Forum and the negotiation of soft power
International think tank summits offer a window to explore the development of international relationships between countries and regions. In that sense, the 4th China-Africa Think Tanks Forum (CATTF IV), that took place the 9th and 10th of September in Pretoria, South Africa, gives us a good... Read full article -
Chinese think tanks: from windows to super highways
Chinese think tanks are often described in the literature as 'windows' into other political communities. Any government would find it quite had to openly inquire about other countries' political systems. But for the Chinese government this is probably even harder. It makes sense: the closer we... Read full article -
Bigger roles for Chinese think tanks
Hu Yongii of China Daily has written an article on how the period of transition that the Chinese government is currently undergoing has expanded Chinese think tanks' role, by being more frequently consulted by government officials and agencies. Think tanks offer advice on their specialty... Read full article -
Chinese think tanks are more intellectually independent than you think
Most people I talk to about think tanks in China seem rather doubtful of the possibly of there being any 'real' think tanks there. How could they if they are all controlled by the Party, they say. My usual answer to that type of accusation is that all think tanks are controlled by someone. The... Read full article -
New trends for Chinese Think Tanks
China has had a long tradition of think tanks serving as policy researchers and governmental advisors. Currently, according to Xufeng Zhu, Director of the Centre of Chinese Policy Science, and Associate Director of the Centre for MPA Education, Nankai University, there seems to be a new trend... Read full article -
China’s Think Tanks – Multifaceted and Multi-Dimensional Policy Actors
Seldom do we pass a day without a major cover story on China’s rise and its growing global influence. Almost every aspect of its ascent is dissected and deciphered to no end. One of the key domestic forces within China engaged in this effort are think tanks. Since opening up in... Read full article -
“Sea Turtles” or “returnees” behind China’s think tank growth
This is a very interesting paper by Cheng Li on the trends of think tanks in China -with particular emphasis on the roles being played by influential returnees such as Justin Lin. The paper also highlight the new roles played by policymakers, entrepreneurs and intellectuals in these new... Read full article