During the critical transitional stage of the 15th Five-Year Plan (FYP, 2026–30) toward the basic realization of socialist modernization, the recently released outline once again calls for “strengthening the construction of new-type think tanks with Chinese characteristics.” In recent interviews with CSST, scholars emphasized that during the 15th FYP period, think tanks must further clarify their orientation, deepen reforms, and demonstrate their value, responding to the needs of the times with high-quality practical outcomes.

Strengthening foundation for development

In 2022, the national plan for the development of philosophy and social sciences during the 14th FYP period (2021–25) first stressed the importance of strengthening the development of new-type think tanks with Chinese characteristics, focusing on building a number of think tanks with significant decision-making influence, social impact, and international clout. Wang Xun, director of the think tank center at the National School of Development at Peking University, noted that this top-down, organized planning strengthens the connection between research institutions and decision-making departments, providing robust support for high-level social science research and laying the foundations for further institutional improvements in think tank development during the 15th FYP period.

Liu Xizhong, vice chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Philosophy and Social Sciences, stated that a new think tank system is taking shape, with national high-end think tanks playing a leading role, supported by sectoral and local institutions, and different types developing in a coordinated fashion.

Li Gang, director of the China Think Tank Research and Evaluation Center at Nanjing University, observed that think tank development has become an important driver of social science advancement, while the think tank community itself continues to mature.

Zhu Xufeng, dean of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, added that during the 14th FYP period, the think tank community produced a large number of high-quality policy research reports on contemporary subjects such as building a new development paradigm featuring “dual circulation,” advancing common prosperity, and balancing development and security, providing solid theoretical support and policy options.

Forging practical pathways

New research methods developed during the 14th FYP period—characterized by organized research, data-driven approaches, and interdisciplinary integration—have reshaped policy research and are expected to serve as key practical pathways for think tanks to meet new requirements and achieve further development during the 15th FYP period.

Liao Fan, Party secretary of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), explained that organized research is reflected in the formation of interdisciplinary teams, the implementation of long-term tracking studies, and collaborative efforts to tackle major issues.

Liu Qing, executive director of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, stated that during the 14th FYP period, proactive exploration by social science think tanks in areas such as building talent echelons and optimizing internal management has enhanced the “combat effectiveness” of think tank management and operational teams.

Several scholars also emphasized that research methods based on big data and artificial intelligence are developing rapidly, making policy simulation and prediction even more scientific. Digital transformation, they noted, has improved research efficiency while enhancing think tanks’ precision in addressing complex issues.

Providing unique support

Facing increasingly complex development challenges during the 15th FYP period—across broader application scenarios and involving more diverse groups—social science think tanks have leveraged their deep local foundations, academic roots, and neutral perspectives to provide distinctive intellectual support for implementing the 15th FYP and advancing Chinese modernization.

In Wang’s view, the rich practice of Chinese modernization has provided ample nourishment for think tank development, giving Chinese think tanks a natural advantage in building independent knowledge systems and innovating locally grounded theories.

This advantage has already translated into practical outcomes. For example, the World Openness Report, compiled under the leadership of the National Institute of Global Strategy at CASS, has been released for five consecutive years. Its core insights, based on the “World Openness Index,” have provided important references for national decision-making.

Zhu noted that well-established disciplinary systems and methodological tools enable social science think tanks to probe more deeply into the nature and patterns of social issues.

Liu argued that the greatest advantage of think tanks in universities and social science institutions lies in their long-term engagement in research and talent cultivation, providing a continuous source of intellectual and human capital.

From Li’s perspective, think tanks often provide relatively neutral and objective viewpoints, enabling more balanced policy evaluation and recommendations. In international exchanges, think tanks scholars participating in academic discourse are more readily accepted by the international community, which helps enhance mutual understanding and trust.

Standing at this new historical starting point, social science think tanks are expected, through their own high-quality development, to play a greater role in serving national decision-making, supporting economic and social development, and promoting global governance reform, thereby making new and greater contributions to advancing Chinese modernization during the 15th FYP period.