China's think tanks need to do more. Is stronger research and autonomy the answer?

In 2013, during a core decision-making meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping used the term "think tank" for the first time as he laid out a case in which such intellectual groups would help advance a sound system of governance and policy consultation for Beijing. Two years later, Beijing acted on that vision by publishing its first comprehensive document to promote the idea of "think tanks with Chinese characteristics". Apart from helping with official decision-making, the document highlighted w