We are launching the China Watch Institute at a truly momentous time in modern China's history.

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China late last year called for a "modernized economy", a strategic goal for the country's development.

Following the historic goal-setting gathering, the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, held in March, saw lawmakers approve a structural reform plan for Party and State institutions as well as constitutional amendments.

The leaders of State institutions were also reshuffled during the two sessions after the election of a new Party leadership in October.

The country enters a new era with great expectations tempered by potential challenges.

All these actions are targeted at achieving the first of China's "Two Centenary Goals" of eradicating all absolute poverty and realizing an all-around well-off society by 2021, when the CPC celebrates its 100th anniversary. The next goal will be to become a modern socialist power by 2049, when the People's Republic of China marks its centennial.

Of course, challenges still exist in tackling pollution, expanding urbanization, narrowing the income gap, improving education, building a social security network, dealing with various risks and improving overall governance capacities.

Apart from China's domestic goals and challenges, the country has embarked on an ambitious project to deeply integrate with the rest of the world by launching the Belt and Road Initiative and building a shared future for the international community.

To meet rising aspirations and tackle important issues, especially at a time when China marks its 40th anniversary of opening-up and reform, it is vital that there be complimentary as well as critical inputs.

President Xi Jinping has called on China to strengthen its own think tanks, making "think tanks with Chinese characteristics" a strategic priority.
That is the role the China Watch Institute will play.

We are a communication channel facilitating research and analysis for China-focused institutions and thinkers around the world.

Powered by China Daily Group's core strength as a the national flagship of international communication, the China Watch Institute is a top-notch conduit for timely, detailed and thought-provoking research on China-related issues.

We are best placed to do so, drawing on our vast experience in communicating the China story to the world, especially to political influencers, opinion-makers and business leaders, by utilizing our incomparable network of China watchers and thinkers across the globe.

Our global presence across a broad spectrum of media partners in 13 countries publishing in seven languages – including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Daily Telegraph, Le Figaro, Handelsblatt, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, El Pais and Mainichi Shimbun – gives us unrivalled reach around the world to increase cross-cultural communication.

We are committed to establishing the China Watch Institute as a high-end think tank platform that is inclusive, authoritative and a benchmark for global China issues.

As the noted public intellectual Robert L. Kuhn writes in an accompanying article: "CWI has declared its mission: To be a fair and focused facilitator, not a dour and dogmatic arbiter, for expert exchanges on China's New Era – a new kind of platform for international and China-based think tanks to interact in an open atmosphere of substantive engagement."

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