By LI Linxu

China is expected to step up efforts to build more new-type think tanks with Chinese characteristics in order to promote the country's cultural influence, according to a new plan recently released by the Chinese government.

Aiming to further develop philosophy and social sciences, the plan puts forward a series of goals, tasks and measures for the next few years.

It is the first development plan focusing on philosophy and social sciences at the national level and is also an integral part of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan system, said an official from the National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences. The official stressed that it will fully leverage the important role of philosophy and social sciences in empowering theoretical innovation, serving scientific decision-making and boosting cultural influence.

Boao Forum for Asia. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

The plan proposes to develop philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics that will have solid academic frameworks, strong academic capacities, high research levels, and great international influence.

To achieve these goals, an array of major projects and key programs will be implemented, and a range of important platforms will be built, as per the plan.

Among them, new-type think tanks with Chinese characteristics are greatly highlighted in the plan. Building new-type think tanks is an important decision made by the Chinese government with an eye on talent pooling, according to the National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences, adding that the country will further develop national high-end think tanks, promote the development of various types of think tanks, and create a favorable environment for think tanks.

In recent years, a number of new-type think tanks have emerged and now play an active role in creating new ideas for governance improvement, promoting scientific decision-making, and bolstering the country's cultural influence.

International talent exchange is also highlighted in the plan, particularly among young talent. The reform on talent development systems will be deepened and the mechanism for talent flow is to be optimized so as to attract more international high-end talent in philosophy and social sciences, said the plan.