Jiemian YANG

International Seminar on “The New Development Bank: From Idea to Reality” organized
by the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies

Shanghai, July 21, 2015

The launching of the New Development Bank (NDB) marks a new era of major developing/emerging countries roles in global economics and politics. Among many partners of the NDB, think tanks stand out in the following five ways:

First of all, the think tanks play a role of sharing and matching up. The NDB is new, yet it needs to share and carry out the good parts of the existing development banks such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, including their traditional and constructive interaction with think tanks. To our delight, the NDB, while still in its preparatory period, already attached importance to the cooperation with think tanks. Likewise, the think tanks have already made the relevant contributions such as advising that the NDB should define its right roles in the global and comprehensive context and that the NDB should value its sincere cooperation with various circles.

Secondly, the think tanks make contributions by advice and consultancy. As the old Chinese saying goes, the first step is the most difficult one. The NDB possesses enormous vitalities as being a newly born entity, yet lacks the maturity and experiences of the established development banks. Therefore, the NDB is particularly in need of the intellectual support of the think tanks. At present, the think tanks should help the NDB achieve a successful first step by providing advice on, among others, development strategies, development challenges and development paths. Furthermore, the think tanks should emphasize their roles in constructive criticism, multi-options and policy back-ups. In the meantime, the think tanks should also strengthen the constructive interaction among the governments, businesses, universities and research units, thus making their concrete contribution with feasibility and operability.

Thirdly, the think tanks are essential in professional networking. To the Chinese think tanks, it is a challenging task to be NDB’s worthy partner because they need to improve themselves before they can shoulder this historical mission. The contemporary finance is extremely complicated, therefore, needs think tanks’ coordinated innovation, highly professional and modern networking at home and abroad, thus achieving the optimal integration of tangible and intangible powers throughout the world.

Fourthly, the think tanks are shapers and champions of public opinions. In the time of information, the think tanks should and could shape and lead the public opinions by professional work. At the NDB’s initial stage, the think tanks can make special contributions in professionalism, high efficiencies and de-politicizing. However, we cannot take it for granted that the think tanks would play such roles. Instead, these roles could only be gradually played in the course of strengthened cooperation between the NDB and relevant GOs, NGOs, medias and even individuals.

Last but certainly not the least, the think tanks can promote the internationalization of China as well as Shanghai. If China makes a comparison with the United States, Britain, Japan or Switzerland, or if Shanghai does with New York City, London, Tokyo or Zurich, the gaps in internationalization is obvious. The headquartering of the NDB per se is a great trust on China and Shanghai. However, our preparation is not sufficient. When we are talking about the lack of the talents, we often use its narrow sense and refer to professional talents. As a matter of fact, we are also in great need of qualified leaders, administrators and social workers, etc. Therefore, the relevant think tanks should take the advantage of the NDB to promote or force the internationalization of China and Shanghai.