China will strengthen its regulation on think tanks, according to a national guideline released Thursday.
The guideline, issued by nine ministerial-level departments including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security, stipulates that think tanks operating in the mainland possess legal person status, and should be run by domestic social organizations.
Think tanks should carry out activities for the purpose of serving the Party and government decision-making, the guideline said.
They should abide by state laws and regulations while enhancing their awareness of social responsibility, according to the guideline.
The guideline also stipulates a dual-management system for think tanks.
Private-run think tanks should register with the provincial civil affairs department and be supervised by the federation of social science circles at the provincial level.
Other think tanks will be supervised by authorities in related fields and register with civil departments of the same level as the authorities in charge.
Unregistered social organizations are forbidden to operate in the name of think tanks, the guideline said.
