Feb. 10 (Beijing) – Founder and President of the Center for China & Globalization (CCG) Dr. Wang Huiyao was among the top Chinese scholars and experts receiving appointment certificates to the Counselors Office of the State Council on Feb. 9th from Premier Li Keqiang in the Zhongnanhai.  Dr. Wang was the only representative from a Chinese think tank included in this select group.  Among other distinguished experts appointed to the Counselors Office of the State Council also included Dr. Qian Yingyi, the Dean of Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management and Dr. Qiu Baoxing, former Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in China.

According to Xinhua News Agency reports, Premier Li applauded the great contributions these scholars have made in helping the government achieve its national economic and social objectives. He also urged the newly appointed counselors to redouble their research efforts on the major challenges China faces in anew era of slowing economic growth and a changing international order.  Premier Li encouraged these experts to play a bigger role in providing policy advice to foster high-tech innovation, accelerate reforms in key sectors of the economy and society, and transform government functions. He also urged the counselors and the others to help build a future government based on the rule of law.  Premier Li called on the counselors to focus their studies on employment, social security, education, and medical services. The premier expected these experts to leverage their strength in building extensive networks with every major social group in China to develop policy proposals that reflect public demand to help improve the livelihoods of its ordinary people and enhance national cohesion and social harmony.

The Counselors Office was established in 1949 as a consultative organization directly under the State Council. For decades, the Office has played a pivotal role in national policymaking. All of its members are appointed by the premier personally and allowed to directly provide policy advice to the State Council’s top leadership.In addition to having a strong impact in shaping national policy-making, the Counselors Office has established partnerships with 33 think tanks from 22 countries, and these ties have significantly enhanced China’s “soft power.”

According to the news reports commenting on the composition of the newly appointed Counselors’ Office, Yu Jin, the chief editor for both National Think Tank and China Think Tank magazines, said that Dr. Wang’s appointment marks the first time for a scholar from an independent think tank to join such a high-level policy advisory body.

“Dr. Wang’s appointment is a milestone and key step forward in the history of Chinese think tank development,” Yu said. According to Yu, it shows that China is well on its way to building a “revolving door”for think tanks that allows top researchers from such organizations to shift back and forth from being academic scholars, government policy advisors, and industry leaders.

Independent think tanks have been encouraged to play a more active policy advisory role following President Xi’s call for the construction of new kinds of think tanks tailored to fit the particular needs and characteristics of China.  All relevant parties and stakeholders in Chinese society, ranging from government and business to higher education institutions and independent think tanks are welcome to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive think tank system.

Adapted from Xinhua, China News Agency,China.com.cn and CCG news