Is this the end of the golden age of Chinese think tanks with star ex-officials?
Two cases involving corruption raise questions about the future of a model that has thrived for the past decade
During the past decade, Chinese think tanks have had the best of two worlds – having the backing of the government while having some room to move outside it.
Encouraged by the country’s leadership to promote China’s soft power, the sector has grown in influence as retired officials have come on board, bringing expertise, connections and some freedom.
But two recent episodes involving once high-profile think tanks raise uncertainty over whether that model can continue.
In both cases, retired officials at those institutes have come under a cloud in the national anti-corruption campaign, suggesting that these connections could turn out to be a double-edged sword, according to observers.
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