Center plays crucial role in govt's development policies

Official expects institution to be driver of reform in governance of financial sector

The China Center for International Economic Exchanges is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the country's development policies by turning many of its research projects into workable economic policies, says the center's Vice-Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang.

In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Zhang revealed the think tank - launched by former vice-premier Zeng Peiyan in 2009 - is currently working on more than 30 research topics, including one on how to build an effective operating mechanism for the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.