Chinese think tanks should focus on actually doing their job – coming up with innovative ideas – instead of spending all their time on self-promotion, a scholar who studies the institutions has told The Paper.
Associate Dean of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, Wang Lili, has analyzed the state of China's domestic think tanks. She says in addition to lacking new ideas, domestic think tanks also lack the international vision to provide insightful, targeted ideas and policies. Many focus only on getting their comments into media outlets, or on simple analysis. Such work is not suited for high-level policymaking and will never achieve influence internationally.
Wang stresses that the core function of a think tank is to produce new ideas, and the relationship between media outlets and think tanks is complementary.
Regarding innovative thinking, Wang says all Chinese think tanks, including those in schools, the government and non-governmental institutions, should give full play to their respective advantages and engage in frequent communication. Furthermore, Chinese think tanks should create developmental patterns based on China's national conditions.