Annual Reports
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since it was founded three decades ago, CDI has been committed to policy solutions that help advance China’s reform and opening-up. Nowadays the institute is one of the top-rated think tanks in China. Armed with the experience of the past 30 years, CDI will continue to grow influential globally. Here are highlights of our work over the past year:
CDI, A PRINCIPAL RESOURCE FOR DECISION-MAKERS
CDI is devoted to developing solutions to public policy challenges. Public and private sector decision-makers around the world have turned to CDI for rigorous research and practical recommendations, bringing us complex policy problems. CDI experts, energized by the opportunity to use research to promote China’s economy driven by reform, opening-up and innovation, address policy problems regarding the Chinese macroeconomics, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), China-U.S. trade tensions, etc. Interactions with decision-makers and thought-leaders take place at every governance level and across the globe.
Against a backdrop of incremental downward pressure on China’s economy, CDI experts continued to suggest strategies to national policymakers on the macroeconomics. The research has been focused on macro-prudential regulation, supporting the private sector, stimulating the domestic market, stabilizing and increasing employment, development of the real estate market, forecast for the Chinese economic growth in 2020, etc. CDI’s research team has monthly examined China’s economic performance and released the Macro Outlook report which analyses China’s main economic indicators.
Substantial progress has been made since the inception of the BRI. CDI, a trusted source for policy ideas about the BRI, continued to develop BRI-related policy solutions which are grounded in fact-based and empirical analysis. CDI conducted policy research on overseas industrial parks in the countries along the Belt and Road by leveraging its experience in special economic zones. CDI scholars also explored how to promote high-quality development of the BRI and sustainable financing for BRI projects.
Since the blueprint for the GBA was unveiled, CDI has done much research on the GBA. CDI researchers built on their long-term experience in the GBA and produced extensive policy research on a range of topics within the field, from diversifying Macao’s economy to safeguarding Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity, from facilitating capital flows, innovating customs clearance mechanisms to streamlining legal systems.
As China is accelerating the shift from traditional growth engines to new ones, innovation-driven development is high on CDI’s research agenda. A lot of proactive analysis has been done on the new round of scientific and technological innovation to address policy challenges faced by such new industries as 5G, blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, self-driving vehicles, etc. CDI scholars also researched further opening-up of China to create a favorable environment for innovation.
2019 witnessed escalation of China-U.S. trade tensions. CDI experts closely followed the rollercoaster ride of China-U.S. trade relations over the past year and undertook research on how to resolve the bilateral trade frictions.
Diverse decision-makers who have turned to CDI despite their different concerns and priorities have one thing in common: they need pragmatic policy solutions. CDI has an extensive roster of experts on regional, urban and industrial development who are experienced in developing policy ideas for 14th five-year plans for local governments, logistics and supply chain management, financial services, marine economy, renewable energy, cross-border economic cooperation zones, free trade zones, bonded areas, urbanization, public welfare and investment decision-making.
CDI, AN INTEGRAL PART OF INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
CDI is dedicated to connecting leaders in academia, governments and businesses. In its critical role as a platform for substantive discussions on policy issues, CDI convened events and brought together policy-influential people in China and beyond.
We “went out” to exchange ideas on the economic cooperation between China and other countries.
GFCI Launch
The Global Financial Centres Index produced by the Z/Yen Group and CDI serves as a valuable reference for policy and investment decisions. The two organizations released the 25th and 26th editions of GFCI in Dubai and Shenzhen respectively.
Belt, Road & Bridge: Creating New China-Europe Connection
CDI and the Z/Yen Group jointly held the discussion in London which explored the bilateral economic and trade exchanges between China and EU in the face of the complicated international situation such as the sprawl of trade protectionism and the Brexit.
China-Germany/EU Industry & Investment Workshop
CDI and the German Development Institute jointly organized the workshop in Bonn which discussed developments in industry and foreign investment from Chinese and German/EU perspectives and identified opportunities and challenges for increased cooperation in the areas of industrial policy and foreign investment between China and Germany/EU.
China’s Rising Influence and Belt and Road Initiative: Its Significance, Progress and Challenges for ASEAN
CDI and ASEAN Studies Center of Chulalongkorn University co-organized the event in Bangkok which brought together experts and practitioners from the region and beyond to explore and discuss the increasing role of BRI in ASEAN and its impact on the region as a whole.
China-New Zealand Cooperation on Belt and Road Initiative: Innovation and Breakthroughs
CDI, along with Scion and the New Zealand China Council, hosted the seminar in Rotorua to discuss the new opportunities for cooperation between China and New Zealand in such areas as economy and trade, sustainable development, and new technology under the framework of BRI.
Belt and Road Summit 3rd Edition: Successful businesses in the way ahead
In partnership with The European House – Ambrosetti, CDI organized the event in Trieste. After the first two editions focused respectively on understanding what the BRI is and what actions should be initiated to unleash its potential, the third edition focused on concrete business-to-business cooperation and industrial opportunities in the countries located along the maritime and land routes.
CDI experts also held roundtable discussions with their counterparts during their visits to UNESCAP, Caixa Bank, Casa Asia, Elcano Royal Institute, Universidad Complutense, Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Lisbon Stock Exchange.
We also “brought in” foreign experts who shared their views on the latest economic developments with Chinese audience.
Global Economic Predicament and China's Development in the "4D" World
CDI invited Ruchir Sharma, Chief Global Strategist at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, to share his insights on "4D" problems faced by the global economy amid sluggish growth as well as future strategies for China's economy.
Greater Bay Area: New Opportunities for Shenzhen and Hong Kong
CDI, in partnership with the AmCham Hong Kong, jointly held the seminar which discussed the impact of the Shenzhen demonstration pilot zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics on Hong Kong's economy, challenges faced by Hong Kong's economic and social development, and new opportunities for talent exchange.
In addition, CDI also organized events to bring together policy influencers in China, such as the 11th Hong Kong-Shenzhen Cooperation Forum themed on Hong Kong-Shenzhen Cooperation on AI and Biotech in Context of Greater Bay Area, the CDI Think Tanks Forum Annual Conference 2019 & 7th China Soft Sciences Prize Award Ceremony themed on China’s Reform and Opening-up and Chinese Think Tanks Development, the 15th Shanghai-Tianjin-Shenzhen Forum themed on Higher-Quality and Better-Coordinated Regional Development, the 2019 Coordinated Regional Development Summit themed on Integrated Development of Urban and Rural Areas, the 2019 Token Economy Summit themed on Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Economy Era.
CDI, A RELIABLE PROVIDER OF POLICY INSIGHTS
CDI is committed to disseminating policy insights to the interested public through websites, newsletters, publications, social media and press outreach.
CDI published 74 posts on its English website which have grown as a source of timely analysis on the latest developments in China’s economic policy. The website traffic went up by 8%. CDI also sent out regular English newsletters and the mailing list increased by 7%. The number of CDI’s followers on the LinkedIn page doubled over the past year.
CDI also published the books including China’s Opening-up Beige Book 2018-2019, Four Decades of Reform and Opening-up and Hong Kong, Fresh Round of Reform and Opening-up and New Role of Think Tanks, China’s Supply Chain Management Blue Book, and China’s Blockchain Applications in Logistics and Supply Chain White Book 2019.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The year 2018 witnessed CDI’s substantial growth in influence as it stays committed to research finding solutions to policy challenges, events connecting leaders in academia, government and business, and outreach expansion disseminating policy insights to the public.
CDI, A PRINCIPAL RESOURCE FOR DECISION-MAKERS
Public and private sector decision-makers around the world have turned to CDI for rigorous research and practical proposals, bringing us pressing public policy challenges.
The year 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Meanwhile, this year witnessed anti-globalization looming large. CDI scholars, energized by the opportunity to use research to deepen reform in key areas and advance opening-up on all fronts, address policy problems regarding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area), innovation-driven development, supply-side reform, China-US trade tensions, etc. Interactions with decision-makers and thought-leaders took place at every governance level and in many parts of the world.
CDI’s research pursuit of the BRI has never been wavered with fact-based and empirical analysis. CDI conducted policy research on overseas industrial parks in the countries along the Belt and Road such as PK 24 Industrial Zone in Cote d'Ivoire, Dire Dawa Industrial Park in Ethiopia and China Special Economic Zone Dhabeji in Pakistan. CDI also conducted joint research projects with German Development Institute and CERDI-IDREC University Clermont Auvergne respectively, which scrutinize the BRI from the European perspective.
CDI continued its research on the Greater Bay Area when the relevant central government departments and the three governments strived for policy breakthroughs. CDI experts, who clearly understood the challenges faced by the Greater Bay Area, explored an approach, emphasizing on effective and efficient flow of various factors such as people, goods, capital, and information to promote market connectivity, to the development of the city cluster.
Diverse decision-makers who have turned to CDI despite their different concerns and priorities have one thing in common: they need pragmatic policy solutions. CDI has an extensive roster of experts on regional, urban and industrial development who are experienced in developing policy ideas for coordinated regional development, special economic zones, cross-border economic cooperation zones, free trade zones, urbanization, logistics and supply chain management, financial services, marine economy, renewable energy, innovation-driven economy, public welfare and investment decision-making.
CDI, AN INTEGRAL PART OF INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
In its critical role as a platform for substantive discussions on policy issues, CDI convened events covering China’s reform and opening-up, BRI, Greater Bay Area, etc. and brought together policy-influential people in China and beyond.
We “went out” to exchange ideas on the economic cooperation betw een China and other countries.
Challenges and Opportunities: Eurasia Cooperation in New Era
CDI participated in the discussion held by the Italian Institute for International Politics in Milan to explore the new cooperation mode between Asia and Europe by using the BRI as a coordination bond.
Dagger Drawn: What does U.S.-China Trade Standoff Mean for You?
CDI and AmCham jointly organized the panel discussion in Hong Kong which focused on the U.S.-China trade tension and the impact on business in the region.
China-ASEAN Think Tanks Seminar: Experience, Challenges and Opportunities–How to Reach Agreement on RCEP
CDI and Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute co-organized the event in Kuala Lumpur to explore ways to build on the experience of the TPP, push forward the RCEP negotiations and tap into the potential of the RCEP.
China-Belarus Think Tanks Seminar: Challenges and Solutions-Cooperation on BRI
CDI, along with the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, hosted the seminar in Minsk to discuss industrial parks construction, standards alignment and risk management under the framework of the BRI.
Debt, Investment and Risk Management of BRI
CDI experts held roundtable discussions on the issues with their counterparts from the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies in Hague.
Background and Vision: Greater Bay Area
CDI experts held the discussion on the city cluster with their counterparts from the Danish Institute for International Studies in Copenhagen.
China-Pacific Islands Maritime Economic Seminar: Win-Win Cooperation and Shared Growth
In the Federated States of Micronesia, CDI gathered government officials, experts and practitioners to discuss how to achieve sustainable development in the Pacific Islands by promoting infrastructure connectivity, fishery, and tourism.
New Silk Roads World Forum: Forging a New Era of Connectivity
In cooperation with Monash University, CDI organized the forum in Melbourne which discussed the financing mechanism, multilateral cooperation and potential risks of the BRI.
China and India Strengthening Cooperation in Healthcare Sector
CDI and Confederation of Indian Industry co-organized the roundtable discussion in New Dehli to address policies coordination in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries of the two countries.
Special Economic Zones Seminars
CDI held the seminars to inform how to set the SEZ policy agenda in the United Arab Emirates, Cote d'Ivoire and Vietnam.
We also “brought in” experts from other countries who shared their views with Chinese audience including academia, government, business and media.
Pan-Beibu Gulf Think Tank Summit: BRI and New Vision for Openness and Connectivity
CDI assembled experts to discuss the upgrading of regional cooperation under the BRI. Over a dozen of Southeast Asian economies were represented among the speakers.
GFCI 24 Launch and Financial Centres Development Forum
CDI, in partnership with Z/Yen Group, launched the Global Financial Centres Index 24 and held the forum which proposed ways of facilitating financial centres growth.
Belt and Road Summit: From Vision to Action
CDI held the summit jointly with The European House – Ambrosetti which focused on how to promote economic cooperation among Eurasian countries under the framework of the BRI.
CDI International Seminars
CDI held the discussions in smaller circles which were themed on Boosting Science and Technology Innovation in Greater Bay Area, China-India Cooperation under BRICS, Financial Market Infrastructures and Innovation, China-Japan Cooperation for Mutual Benefits, Bay Areas in China and US, and China-U.S. Economic Relations: A Mixture of Challenges and Cooperation all year round.
In addition, CDI also organized events to bring together policy influencers in China, such as the CDI Beijing Annual Meeting themed on 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up and Greater Bay Area Development, the 14th Shanghai-Tianjin-Shenzhen Forum themed on 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up: Special and New Areas to Lead in High-Quality Development, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Seminar themed on Prospects for Youth in Greater Bay Area, etc.
CDI, A RELIABLE PROVIDER OF POLICY INSIGHTS
Through our publications, website, newsletters, social media and press outreach, CDI disseminated its ideas and analysis to the interested public.
CDI published the books including China’s Opening-up Beige Book 2016-2017, BRI and Chinese Outbound Investment: New Opportunities, Cooperation and Approaches, Chinese Enterprises “Going Out” under BRI, Development and Management of Chinese Overseas Industrial Parks under BRI, China Industrial Finance Development Index 2018, China Entrepreneurship and Innovation Finance Index 2018, China Financial Centers Index 10, New Economy and Old System, 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Theory and Practice: Shenzhen Urban Renewal, Our Society: Proceedings of Silver Lake Salon, Our Future: Proceedings of Silver Lake Salon, and Tides Surging on Dapeng Bay: Shenzhen in Graduates’ Eyes. CDI also participated in the compilation of China Supply Chain Management Blue Book and China Logistic Yearbook.
CDI published 65 posts on its English website which have grown as a source of timely analysis on the latest developments in China’s economic policy. CDI also sent out regular English newsletters and the subscriber list increased by 10%. What’s more, the number of CDI’s followers on the LinkedIn page experienced a strong growth.
CDI is committed to the development of good cooperation relationship with Chinese and foreign academic institutions
