High-powered think tank inspires Chinese leaders
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E-mail China Daily, November 4, 2015
Opinions from the public have always been crucial in the decision-making of China's central government.
Scholars, experts and local officials participate in decision-making by communicating with senior leaders in conferences and symposiums, becoming special brainpowers of the government.
Here we take a look at eight most frequently invited brainpowers of China's central government who have had at least two opportunities of close interactions at Zhongnanhai, the headquarter of China's central government, with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang since the 18th CPC National Congress.
Justin Yifu Lin, former chief economist and senior vice-president of the World Bank, vice-president of the National Development Planning Commission of experts of the 13th Five Year Plan, professor in economics in Peking University, founder and director of the China Center for Economic Research.
Lin has been invited to symposiums with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang more than five times since the 18th CPC National Congress and has delivered keynote speeches there. Different from some economists' opinions, Lin insists that China should continue to stimulate economic growth through investment.
"No matter it's technical renovation, industrial upgrade or infrastructure improvement, investment is necessary. We haven't reached the point where we can forgo investment as an economic stimulus. This practice should continue," Lin has said.
Wu Jinglian, a leading economist in China, a well-known advocate of market reform, senior researcher at the Developmental Research Centre of the State Council.
Wu believes a comprehensive and deep reform is significant due to economic slowdown. The reform should be dedicated to creating an atmosphere that encourages innovation and starting businesses, aiming at high productivity and quality.
After the 18th CPC National Congress, Wu advocated a limited but effective government and a unified market.
In a keynote speech in a symposium, Wu reiterated that China should secure economic growth via changing the economic developing mode. The economic preoccupation should be switched to technology and productivity from investment and resources.
Li Daokui, professor and director of the China and the World Economy Center at Tsinghua University, former member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the central bank.
Li is another scholar who has attended symposiums at Zhongnanhai more than five times since the 18th CPC National Congress.
In an interview after data showed that China's GDP grew 6.9 percent in the third quarter in 2015, the first time it fell below 7 percent since 2009, he said the economy would gradually stabilize by the first quarter next year. Starting from the latter half of next year, the growth rate would increase. The annual growth rate in 2017 could come back to 7 percent or, optimistically, even higher.
However, Li stressed, the prerequisite for the optimism is that the government should work hard. The director observed that the preoccupation now is to make local officials more motivated by introducing a reward and punishment mechanism.
Li Yang, researcher and the former vice-president of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also a former member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the central bank.
Li has been a guest to Zhongnanhai more than twice since the 18th CPC National Congress. He is reported to have participated in the formulation of the 13th Five Year Plan.
Li said the domestic reform should be in concert with the external one. During the process, China, apart from establishing a socialist market economy, should also initiate a global economic system in the same spirit.
In a symposium in October, he delivered a speech in front of a group of scholars, officials and owners of private enterprises and expressed his view on macro-economic regulation. He said it was crucial to distinguish different economic fluctuation, which may be short-term, periodic or have long-term impact and make the right choice.
Hu Angang, the founder and director of the CAS-Tsinghua Institute of National Conditions.
Hu has twice been the guest to symposiums at Zhongnanhai. It has been noted that his academic views often attract attention and trigger debates.
In one of his papers published in the 1980s, he disfavored the government's rush for quick economic success and pointed out that the strategy for a lasting development should be in accordance with the Chinese national conditions.
Hu is also against the favorable policies for special administrative regions.
Fan Gang, member of the Expert Committee of National Development Planning for the 13th Five Year Plan, vice-chairman of China Economic System Reform Research Association, member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the central bank, has also been nicknamed as one of the "Four Tigers" of economics in China.
Fan has been to symposiums at Zhongnanhai at least twice since the 18th CPC National Congress. When the world was under the shadow of economic crisis in 2008, he predicted that Chinese economy would be safe and sound.
Li Guanghui, researcher and vice-president of the Research Institute of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Ministry of commerce.
Li is an expert on regional economic integration, border development and opening up, and Asia-African issues.
He said China cannot afford to be left out of the global free-trade zone. In order not to be marginalized, China shall keep up with the pace, and seize the initiative in the new global economic pattern.
Gu Shengzu, vice-president of China Democratic National Construction Association, deputy director of Financial and Economic Committee, member of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, president of the Research Institute of the Strategic Management.
Gu has been invited to symposiums at Zhongnanhai at least three times. His experience is slightly different from the aforementioned seven brain powers for he was once actively involved in politics until 2007.
The recently concluded 5th Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee laid much emphasis on innovation. For this, Gu said innovation is the key to power economic development. China used to rely much upon cheap labor, vast land and investment for development. It's high time China turn to another direction.
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