A Scholar delivered a speech at the 2018 Annual “China University Think Tank Forum” on Dec. 8. Photo: FUDAN UNIVERSITY

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The 2018 Annual “China University Think Tank Forum” was held in Shanghai on Dec. 8. Experts and scholars discussed the problems that have appeared in the development of university-based think tanks and the think tanks’ future.

There have been many achievements in terms of target location, resource integration, mechanism innovation and evaluation since the foundation of university-based think tanks, which have made great contributions to the decision-making of central and regional governments. 

Jiao Yang, Party secretary of Fudan University, said that university-based think tanks should leverage their strength in terms of theoretical study, talent aggregation and foreign exchange, so as to support major policy decisions, push forward economic and social development and have a greater say in the international community.

High-level university-based think tanks should put forward effective strategies and suggestions through overall, strategic and forward-looking studies when faced with sensitive, difficult and major issues. Zhang Weiwei, dean of the China Institute at Fudan University, put forward that in the age of information civilization, China is embracing a new technological revolution, devoting itself to improving people’s livelihood during economic globalization while introducing the concept of global governance following the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefit. China is also providing new principles and trains of thought for solving the common issues of human society, reinvigorating the community with a shared future for mankind.  

How to interpret and conceptualize traditional Chinese  fine culture theoretically is a major subject for university-based think tanks. Qin Yaqing, president of China Foreign Affairs University, said that, first, university-based think tanks should draw on and summarize the essence of traditional Chinese fine culture from a humanistic perspective and explore ideas with common value and meaning. Second, university-based think tanks should actively utilize their advantages in academic research, knowledge and ideas to interpret the concept of traditiona Chinese fine culture according to the times and global context.

Facing a complex international situation, university-based think tanks should strengthen their consciousness of problems and remain demand-driven.According to Zhu Dajian, a distinguished professor at Tongji University, in the China story, upholding Party leadership is the secret of success. When telling the China story it is important to stick to the strategic guidance of government, attach great importance to consultative democracy, and take the binding of government and guidance of the market as guidelines. Scholars of the new style of university-based think tanks should emphasize internal and external cultivation so as to tell the China story well to the world in international languages and to promote China’s development through international high culture. 

 

(edited by ZHAO SANLE)