"We respect knowledge, talent, creation and innovation," Chengdu's Deputy Mayor Wang Pingjiang said as the Global Think Tanks Forum 2018 kicked off in the historical city on November 22, 2018.

The two-day forum is being attended by 120 academics, think tank members and global experts to discuss cooperation and development regarding the role of think tanks and innovation in global governance.

While the governments of developing countries are coming together to claim their role on the world stage through institutions such as the E7 and BRICS, thinks tanks also have an important role to play. John Ross, former Director of Economic and Business Policy of London and a current senior fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, told the audience the availability of information and data is crucial to avert "disastrous miscalculations."

Fang Zhenghui, Vice President of China International Publishing Group, speaks at the event (DONG NING)

With publications in 20 languages that are distributed in more than 100 countries, China International Publishing Group (CIPG), the host of the event along with Chengdu's local government, is in a position to strengthen communication and cooperation between think tanks. "There are three friendships which are advantageous... Friendship with the uplight; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation these are advantageous," Fang Zhenghui, CIPG's Vice President, said in his welcome address, quoting Confucius. "The cooperation should embrace not only economies but cultures, values, political systems and development paths."

The conclusion of the conference will see the release of two reports on China's role in global governance and how major Belt and Road countries perceive China.

(Reporting from Chengdu, Sichuan Province)

Copyedited by Craig Crowther

Comments to luyan@bjreview.com