By Hong Il-pyo, Senior Research Associate, The Hankyoreh Economic Research Institute 　　 China is not just one of the developing countries in Asia any more. President Hu Jintao was selected as the most influential leader in the world and China is now regarded as a G-2 with the U.S. This means that understanding the mechanism of the policymaking process in China is more and more important than before. On Oct. 18, Vice President Xi Jinping, was anointed as China‘s leader-in-waiting. He will take over as China’s leader in two years' time. We have to know what Xi’s idea and political vision is and who will be important assistants on various policy issues. Professor Zhu Xufeng suggested that Chinese think tanks will play a serious role and their influence will become stronger rapidly. We asked him what the role and characteristic of think tanks in China are and how they will be under the Xi Jinpin Era. He will present on “Chinese think tanks and their policy influence” at the Asia Future Forum. Zhu Xufeng is an Associate Professor at the Zhou Enlai School of Goverment, Nankai University, China and got a Ph.D. from Tsinghua University in 2005. His current research intrests involve the study of the Chinese policy process, China's think tanks, public policy analyses, and social stratification in transitional China. His recent publications include articles in various academic journals. He is also the author of China’s Think Tanks: Research on Their Influences in the Policy Process (Tsinghua University Press, 2009). 　 The political leadership's attitude toward experts and think tanks is crucial for the development of think tanks. In 2007, the Party Report explicitly mentioned “the roles of think tanks” at the 17th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress for the first time. This recognition and support from the authorities signified the anticipated rapid development of think tanks in China as well as their expanding influence. I believe the Chinese government will spend more fiscal resources and political opportunities to embrace think tanks in the policy decision-making process in the Xi Jinping administration after the 18th CCP Congress, which means Chinese think tanks will play a more important role in China. However, the Chinese policy process is still in black box. In many policy issues under consideration, we don’t know for sure who the most important participant is inside. But as far as I know, huge number of participants, including research institutes and experts participated in the process of drafting process of the 12th Five Year Program. If you are interested in the process, please look through: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-10/29/c_13582460.htm. There are many different types of think tanks in transitional China. I don't think there is competition between governmental-sponsored think tanks and non-governmental ones. Every think tank has its individual resource and advantage. They are compensatory with each other in the Chinese policy process. For even very small think tanks, they still have direct connection with decision makers and influence on specially targeted policy actors. I published a Chinese article on track 2 international regime with the Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT) as a case (http://politics.csscipaper.com/internation/guozheng/15357.html). I think “track 3 diplomacy” (civilian communication and cooperation among countries) is important for the future international community in some fields of global issues, such as climate change and the international financial crisis. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr] ------------------------------------------------------------------- December 15-16 The Ritz-Carlton Seoul Registration and Information: www.asiafutureforum.org/070-7425-5237 Hosted by the Hankyoreh Media Group Organized by the Hankyoreh Economic Research Institute (HERI) Supported by the Presidential Council for Future & Vision, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Ministry of Labor, The Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Korea Federation of Banks, Korea Life Insurance Association, Korean Standards Association, UN Global Compact Korea Network, Korea Sustainability Investing Forum, the Hope Institute, The Japan Foundation [Nov.11,2010,Hankyoreh] http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/448239.html