China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy

The China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS), established in Beijing in 2010 by Zheng Bijian and Lu Yongxiang, focuses on developing strategies for social governance, technology, and military institutions in China. The institute is known to be staffed by individuals with ties to the Ministry of State Security (MSS) influence operations and front organizations. CIIDS collaborates with international organizations such as the Berggruen Institute and has hosted significant events, including the Technology Expo, the 2nd U.S.-China Strategic Forum on Clean Energy Cooperation, and the China Sciences and Humanities Forum.

In 2013, CIIDS organized the Understanding China Conference, where General Secretary Xi Jinping discussed key reforms, including the abolition of labor camps, easing the one-child policy, and opening new markets to the world. This event provided insight into China's leadership mindset during a pivotal period leading up to the Third Plenum of the Central Committee. The 2015 Understanding China Conference announced China's "Belt and Road" initiative and its hosting of the G20 Summit in 2016.

CIIDS also co-organizes events like the Technology Expo, which showcases domestic and foreign innovations, and the U.S.-China Strategic Forum on Clean Energy Cooperation with the Brookings Institution. The China Sciences and Humanities Forum, co-hosted with institutions such as the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, brings together senior officials, scholars, and leaders for discussions on politics, science, technology, and diplomacy. These events highlight CIIDS's role in shaping China's strategic direction and fostering international collaboration.