The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会
The Charhar Institute is a non-governmental Chinese think tank founded in 2009 by CPPCC member Han Fangming, conducting public diplomacy research, Track II dialogue, policy advisory and publishing for Chinese government, academic and international diplomatic audiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersShangyi County (Zhangjiakou), China
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 does
The Charhar Institute (察哈尔学会) is a non-governmental, non-partisan Chinese think tank founded in October 2009 by Han Fangming (韩方明), a four-term CPPCC member and current chairman. The institute is formally registered as the Shanyixian Chahar Cultural Exchange Association (尚义县察哈尔文化交流学会) following a 2019 reregistration required for civil-affairs compliance. It operates from a headquarters at Chahar Pasture in Shangyi County, Hebei Province and a Beijing office inside the Beijing Institute of Technology National Defense Science and Technology Park. The organizational model is built around eight research centers across Beijing, Chengdu, Taiyuan, Shanghai and other locations, supported by a core team of approximately seven employees and a network of more than 200 research fellows drawn from academia, government, defense and diplomatic circles.
The institute's product surface centers on public diplomacy research, Track II dialogue and policy advisory, delivered through four main formats: (1) the "Public Diplomacy Quarterly" journal, which published 60 issues from 2010 before ceasing in January 2025; (2) a book series and topical research reports; (3) signature events including the International Young Diplomats Forum and the International Peace Conference on the Belt and Road Initiative; and (4) the Charhar Channel, a peer-engagement mechanism hosting recurring Track II dialogues with foreign parliamentarians and diplomats. There is no proprietary technological stack; the platform is human-capital and convening-power driven. The institute has been listed in the University of Pennsylvania's Global Go To Think Tank Index since 2015, reinforcing its positioning as a Tier-1 Chinese public diplomacy institution. More recently, it has expanded recurring engagement into the Charhar Reading Club (察哈尔读书会) launched in early 2024.
The business model is grant- and sponsor-driven rather than commercially priced. Revenue (where it exists) comes from policy advisory retainers with Chinese government entities — primarily the CPPCC Foreign Affairs Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local governments including Shangyi/Zhangjiakou, Yangzhou and Xining — supplemented by event sponsorship, publication income, and international partnership activity with institutions such as the Clingendael Netherlands Institute and Carnegie Endowment. There is no disclosed revenue, no external funding rounds, and no pricing model for standard products. Operations rest on the founder's political relationships, civil-society registration status, and standing within the CPPCC and academic system rather than on a scalable commercial engine.
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会
- Legal name
- 尚义县察哈尔文化交流学会
- Website
- https://charhar.org.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Charhar Institute is a non-governmental Chinese think tank founded in 2009 by CPPCC member Han Fangming, conducting public diplomacy research, Track II dialogue, policy advisory and publishing for Chinese government, academic and international diplomatic audiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Think Tank / Policy Research and Public Diplomacy Services
- NAICS
- International Affairs (92812), Public Relations Agencies (54182), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Affairs & Government Relations (MPAAADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Political & Public Affairs Channels (MPABAIAC), Government & Public Sector Conferences (MPAGAGAH)
Keywords
Where The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shangyi County (Zhangjiakou)
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices6 records
Markets served
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Policy Advisory and Commissioned Research: The institute conducts commissioned research and policy advisory projects for government bodies at central, provincial, city, and county levels. Multiple research reports have received high-level central government批示 and repeated commendations from relevant departments. Core members are integrated into the united front and CPPCC systems, contributing to policy advisory work.
- Publications and Book Sales: The institute publishes the Public Diplomacy Quarterly (公共外交季刊), Charhar Newsletter (察哈尔快讯), Charhar Public Diplomacy Book Series, and Charhar Diplomacy and International Relations Book Series. These publications are distributed through bookstores and online channels, generating modest revenue from book sales and subscriptions.
- Event Sponsorship and Partnerships: The institute organizes branded events and forums, often with co-hosting partners such as Southern Media Group, Peking University, and international think tanks. Corporate and institutional sponsors such as TCL Group have provided financial support for forums and publications.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Charhar Institute is a non-governmental think tank that delivers commissioned policy research and advisory services to government bodies, operates track II diplomatic channels (the Charhar Channel) for non-governmental dialogue and mediation with foreign governments and institutions, and produces academic publications including journals, newsletters, and book series. It also organizes branded forums, roundtables, peace dialogues, and academic conferences serving government, academic, and diplomatic communities in the fields of public diplomacy, international relations, and peace studies.
Product overview
The Charhar Institute is a non-governmental think tank providing intellectual products and diplomatic practice services through three main layers: public diplomacy and national image (foundation), diplomacy and international relations (core), and national grand strategy (ultimate). Its product portfolio includes 8 research centers (Beijing-based Public Diplomacy Research Center, Peninsula Peace Research Center, Conflict and Reconciliation Research Center, Urban Diplomacy Research Center, plus Chengdu's Himalayan Regional Research Center, Beijing's Latin America Research Center, Taiyuan's Local Foreign Affairs Research Center, and Shanghai's Corporate Public Diplomacy Research Center); multiple publication series including 《公共外交季刊》 (stopped in 2025), 察哈尔快讯, 察哈尔公共外交丛书, 察哈尔外交与国际关系丛书, and 察哈尔报告; and brand event programs such as 察哈尔圆桌 (roundtables), 察哈尔和平对话 (peace dialogues), 察哈尔读书会 (reading club), 察哈尔公共外交年会 (annual conference), 全国国际关系博士生学术论坛 (doctoral forum), and 公共外交国际论坛 (international forum). The institute also operates the distinctive 察哈尔渠道 (Charhar Channel) for Track II diplomacy covering China-DPRK, China-Korea, China-US, China-Canada, China-ASEAN, and China-Latin America relations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Public Diplomacy Quarterly (《公共外交季刊》)
- Charhar Newsletter (《察哈尔快讯》)
- Charhar Public Diplomacy Book Series (《察哈尔公共外交丛书》)
- Charhar Diplomacy and International Relations Book Series (《察哈尔外交与国际关系丛书》)
- Charhar Reports (《察哈尔报告》)
- Public Diplomacy Introduction (《公共外交概论》)
- Charhar Channel (察哈尔渠道)
- Charhar Public Diplomacy Annual Conference (察哈尔公共外交年会)
- National Doctoral Academic Forum on International Relations (全国国际关系、国际政治专业博士学术论坛)
- International Public Diplomacy Forum (公共外交国际论坛)
- Charhar Roundtables (察哈尔圆桌)
- Charhar Peace Dialogues (察哈尔和平对话)
- Charhar Reading Club (察哈尔读书会)
- Commissioned Policy Research and Advisory Services
- City Public Diplomacy Research Reports
Quantifiable outcome
- Public diplomacy strategy incorporated into the CPPCC Standing Committee work report, the 18th Party Congress report, and the 13th Five-Year Plan.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Beijing Institute of Technology National Defense Science and Technology Park (北京理工大学国防科技园)minorThe institute's Beijing administrative office is located within the Beijing Institute of Technology National Defense Science and Technology Park (2号楼, 北京市海淀区西三环北路甲2号院).
- Dutch Institute of International Relations (Clingendael)coreCo-organizer of the Public Diplomacy International Forum (公共外交国际论坛) since 2012, held alternately in China and Europe. This partnership provides the institute with a European diplomatic network and international visibility.
- Shaun Riordan (肖恩·赖尔登)minorDirector of the European International Affairs Institute's Diplomacy and Cyberspace Research Center. Co-organized the 'Network Geopolitics and Cyber Diplomacy' seminar with the institute in 2019. Contributing expert on cyber diplomacy and international affairs.
- Peking University School of International RelationscoreCo-organizer of the National Doctoral Forum on International Relations since 2011. Jointly published multiple research reports and book series including '相互建构：崛起中的中国与世界' and '全球治理：保护的责任'. The partnership combines academic rigor with practical policy research.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (卡内基国际和平研究院)minorListed as a cooperating international think tank partner. The institute maintains exchange relationships with major global think tanks including Carnegie, RAND, Brookings, Heritage Foundation, Cato, and others.
- Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (中华人民共和国外交部)coreThe institute cooperates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on public diplomacy initiatives. The Ministry's public diplomacy office and the institute's research activities are aligned in China's overall public diplomacy strategy.
- Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (中国人民对外友好协会)minorListed as a cooperating NGO partner in the institute's partner ecosystem, particularly in cultural and people-to-people diplomacy initiatives.
- Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Foreign Affairs CommitteecoreThe institute was co-founded by the CPPCC Foreign Affairs Committee and its 'public diplomacy' strategy was incorporated into the CPPCC Standing Committee work report. The CPPCC Foreign Affairs Committee is the institute's primary government partner, providing institutional backing and co-establishing the Public Diplomacy Quarterly.
- Southern Media Group (南方报业传媒集团)coreCo-founder and co-host of the Charhar Public Diplomacy Annual Meeting since 2010. Ongoing strategic partnership for media cooperation, joint events, and public diplomacy content dissemination.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brookings Institution: A major US-based public policy research organization covering international affairs, economics, and governance. Listed among Charhar's exchange partners and broadly comparable in international-affairs research, although with vastly greater scale, funding, and permanent staff.
- Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): A leading UK-based international affairs think tank producing research and convening dialogues on global policy. Comparable to Charhar in mission and convening function, including Track II-style dialogue, but with a much larger endowment, staff, and global brand.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: A globally established international-affairs think tank with a dedicated Carnegie China program. Charhar maintains an explicit exchange relationship with Carnegie. Comparable in topic scope (international relations, diplomacy, public policy) though with a much larger permanent research staff and global footprint.
- Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS): China's premier state-run academic research institution covering economics, philosophy, international studies, and other disciplines. Operates across the same broad space as Charhar on international affairs research, but at vastly greater scale and with comprehensive government backing.
Direct peers
- Clingendael Institute (Netherlands Institute of International Relations): A Dutch think tank and diplomatic training institution with a strong public-diplomacy and Track II dialogue program. Charhar's longstanding co-organizing partner for the International Public Diplomacy Forum. Directly comparable as a public-diplomacy and international-affairs think tank with a similar convening and dialogue mission.
- Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University: A leading Chinese university-based research institute covering international relations, diplomacy, and global governance. Comparable to Charhar in focus area and in producing academic research and policy-relevant commentary on Chinese foreign policy and public diplomacy.
- Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (Renmin University): University-affiliated Chinese think tank conducting policy research and publishing commentary on international affairs, economic governance, and diplomacy. Directly comparable to Charhar as a Chinese policy-research institute engaged in international thought-leadership and dialogue.
- China Foundation for International and Strategic Studies (CFISS): Beijing-based non-governmental think tank focused on international strategic studies and foreign policy. Comparable to Charhar as a Chinese NGO-style IR and strategic-affairs research organization that engages both Chinese and foreign policy audiences.
- China Institute of International Studies (CIIS): China's leading state-affiliated foreign policy and international affairs think tank under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Directly comparable to Charhar in mandate — research, policy advisory, and convening on international relations — though with substantially larger scale and government affiliation.
- Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS): A major Shanghai-based government-affiliated think tank covering international relations, diplomacy, and international economics. Closely comparable to Charhar in research focus and policy-advisory function, with a similar track of journals, conferences, and government engagement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 social profiles
Digital presenceThe Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会
What does The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 do?
The Charhar Institute is a non-governmental think tank that delivers commissioned policy research and advisory services to government bodies, operates track II diplomatic channels (the Charhar Channel) for non-governmental dialogue and mediation with foreign governments and institutions, and produces academic publications including journals, newsletters, and book series. It also organizes branded forums, roundtables, peace dialogues, and academic conferences serving government, academic, and diplomatic communities in the fields of public diplomacy, international relations, and peace studies.
Is The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 a public or private company?
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 founded?
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 based?
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 is headquartered in Shangyi County (Zhangjiakou), China, in the Asia region.
How does The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Policy Advisory and Commissioned Research is the primary driver. The others are publications and Book Sales and event Sponsorship and Partnerships.
Who are The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brookings Institution, Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Direct peers are Clingendael Institute (Netherlands Institute of International Relations), Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University, Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (Renmin University), China Foundation for International and Strategic Studies (CFISS), China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS).
Does The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会.
What industry is The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会 in?
The Charhar Institute 察哈尔学会's product category is Think Tank / Policy Research and Public Diplomacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAADAE, Public Affairs & Government Relations, with a secondary code of MPABAIAC, Political & Public Affairs Channels. Its NAICS code is 92812 and its SIC code is 9721.