China's New High-Level Think Tank

Author: Zhang Xiaoming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The emergence of national development strategies such as the scientific outlook on democracy and the construction of a harmonious society is closely linked to the wisdom and ideas of a group of forward-thinking political and academic elites, who can be regarded as the "think tank" of the fourth-generation leadership collective. This is a major trend in China: the ideological driving force behind decision-making is increasingly coming from the people. The outstanding role of these frontline figures lies in expanding political wisdom from a narrow policy research level to a broader and more widespread level of mainstream thought. From the establishment of the "Zhongnanhai Expert Lectures" system to the attention paid by General Secretary Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to the advice of experts and scholars on major socio-economic issues, it is not difficult to see that a new type of cooperative relationship is forming between the government and academia, as well as between politics and intellectuals, and is gradually being institutionalized. This change is rooted in the maturity of the ruling party and is also related to the more rational and constructive understanding of intellectuals regarding the complexity of China's path to modernization. This book, based on authoritative sources and numerous firsthand interviews, faithfully reflects the intellectual achievements of these experts and scholars, and from their personal "breath," one can sense the grand rhythm of national operation.