A think tank was established by Taicang Daily on Aug 24, aimed at providing policy suggestions to local government.

Different from the think tanks launched by universities and institutes, Taicang Daily will use its broad information sources, and abundant external resources and advantages as the Party newspaper to establish the group.

The think tank will gather experts from different fields to carry out prospective and pertinent policy research and provide advice on major projects key to local government decision-making.

The think tank will also give suggestions on theoretical innovation, guiding public opinion, and serving the public.

A variety of channels will be offered to help promote achievements made by the think tank. New media, including a mobile news reader and a WeChat public account together with traditional print will provide strong support.

Six professors specialized in politics, economy, culture, social and ecology from Soochow University were appointed as the first members of the think tank on Aug 25.

The experts started their first grassroots research in a town of Taicang, researching issues such as the integration between industries and city, industrial gathering, social governance, and the development of cultural tourism.

The partnership with Soochow University is the first time that Taicang Daily has sought cooperation with a university.

In the future, the Taicang Daily think tank will invite more experts to join it to create an outstanding expert team involved in various fields so as to provide intellectual support for the government.