On Jan.15^th, 2015, it was announced in the [2014 Report on the Influence of Chinese Think -Tank] that the State Council Development Research Center, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences were the three top think-tank with comprehensive influence；National Development Research Institute of Beijing University, Chongyang Financial Institute of Renmin University and National Research Institute of Tsinghua University were listed as the top three for their influence among universities；Horizon Research Consultancy Group, China(Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, Center for China and Globalization were listed on the top three among the private think-tank；In addition, China’s Communist Party School, The Chinese Academyof International Issues etc. altogether more than 10 think-tanks were listed among top 20 for their comprehensive influence. This is the first ranking list for Chinese think-tank based on objective index since General Secretary XI Jinpinggave important instruction for “Building New Think-Tank with Chinese Characteristics”.

The report was jointly released by Horizon International Development Institute subordinated to Horizon Research Consultancy Group together with China Network subordinated to Information Office of the State Council, a national key news website. FENG Xi, the senior Vice President of Horizontal Research Group and President of Horizon International Development Institute and XUE Lisheng, Vice President of China Network were present at the Press Conference. Feng Xi indicated that it took more than one year for the preparation work and data collection for the think-tank project. Over 100 professional experts‘ suggestions and views were heard, over 300 or more main think-tank’s data and relevant information were collected. The investment was huge, aiming at the completion of a convincing ranking of the think-tank and professional guidance and suggestions.

The [2014 Report on the Influence of Chinese Think -Tank] is the first publicly recognized report on the evaluation system for think-tank based on objective indexes. Studies can be conducted by exploring the connotation and characteristics of think-tank, designing the evaluation system, collecting and streamlining data for the think-tank. The ranking of Chinese active think-tank can be listed based on the evaluation indexes,analysis on the status of think-tanks can be conducted according to experts’ opinions and indexes, and policy recommendations and suggestions for think-tank can be proposed.

Four types of influence indexes are applied in the report: professional, official, social and international influence. Scores are obtained by combining the objective and subjective indexes. For example, international influence is based on the frequency of the cooperation with international institutions, number of the cooperation with international think-tank, and times the think-tank’s researchers gave presentations at international conferences and other data. The report shows that Development Research Center of State Council, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, National Development Research Institute of Beijing University, Party School of Communist Party, Macroeconomic Research Institute of NDRC, CAEP, China International Economic Exchange Center ,Horizon Research Consultancy Group, Chongyang Financial Institute of Renmin University etc. are the top ten think-tanks with most influence in China. It can be seen that think-tanks representing government, private business and universities & colleges respectively. Although official think-tank plays most important role, other new types of think-tank also have strong influences.