What they say

Editor's note: At the ongoing summit, delegates representing think tanks from around the world told China Daily what they expect from the summit, expressed their concerns and sent their greetings and best wishes for the event.

"Today, China gave just another proof of being innovative in its soft power policies. The 4th Global Think Tank Summit is a truly inclusive, analytical platform for in-depth discussions of the evolving global agenda between international think tanks. This forum makes a great contribution to getting the think tank community to see anew their purpose as global agents of change and adequately grow their influence. It is a unique opportunity for many think tanks that still must learn their role of being effective intermediaries between research and governance on regional and global scales. The challenges of internationalization of think tanks' modus operandi, issues of cultivating closer links between them, capacity building to address a growing variety of topical domains and solidifying professional standards of research - these are critical factors for forging inclusive global agenda for sustainable growth."

Alexey G. Makushkin, director general, Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation

"I believe that at a time of major cross currents in global economics and in geopolitics, it is imperative that think tanks can meet and contribute to some major discussions of our time, from climate change, energy, global governance, the middle income trap, increasing productivity, urbanization... All these challenges are relevant to China and to the world. China will chair the G20 in 2016. This is a test to relaunch multilateralism and make sure that we will prevent fragmentation in the global economy. So an initiative like the global think tank summit should be welcome."

Mark Uzan

"I am eager to hear ideas about ways to convert environmental challenges - concerns about air, water quality and public health - into opportunities for entrepreneurs and international businesses to cooperate and build bridges."

Thomas Sargent

"The ongoing Fourth Global Think Tank Summit in Beijing is aimed at further enhancing sustained communication between major stakeholders in order to usher in a more equitable and just world order. With watchwords of nondiscrimination, redistribution of power, sustainable development, environmental protection and expanding the role of think tanks, the summit is attempting to fashion a new discourse on global governance. ... The Summit suggests that we need to also understand and act on the 'soft' issues of climate change, education, skill development and poverty elimination."

Srikanth Kondapalli

"This year's Think Tank Summit comes at a critical moment for China and the rest of the world economy. Post-crisis headwinds continue to put a damper on economic activity in most major countries. Lacking support from external demand, China's structural transformation to a consumer-led economy takes on even greater urgency."

Stephen S. Roach

"The theme of the 4th Global Think Tank Summit, 'Global Sustainable Development: New Path After 2015', is highly relevant, especially for Asian countries. These countries urgently need a new development paradigm that integrates the three dimensions of sustainable development - economic growth, social progress and environmental protection. The priority of sustainable development - eradication of poverty and hunger - depends on actions that reshape the markets so that investments in people and green growth can create the basis for shared prosperity across nations. The summit will provide a valuable platform for dialogue on policies and the exchange of information and experiences to open up new and innovative collaboration among these countries."

Mustafa K.Mujeri, director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies

(China Daily 06/26/2015 page15)