Accomplishments

SAIF ThinkTank, as the research platform of SAIF, focused on overarching, forward-looking, and strategic matters integral to Shanghai becoming an international financial center, SAIF ThinkTank conducts pivotal research projects across core areas like sci-tech innovation finance, sustainable finance, and digital finance. High-caliber research reports and policy recommendations are now produced on a consistent basis.

[SAIF ThinkTank Brief Report] Issue 40 - Development Status, Challenges, and Prospects of ESG Funds in China

Summary: In recent years, with the widespread dissemination of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concepts and a deepening understanding of ESG investment among global market participants, the global ESG fund market has continued to expand. Driven by China's strategic goals of “dual carbon” and high-quality development, an increasing number of domestic investors are incorporating ESG factors into their investment decisions, leading to rapid development of ESG funds in China's domestic public fund market.

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[SAIF ThinkTank Key Report] Issue 18 - Incorporating the “Micro Connect” Financing Model into Financial Regulation

Summary: The essence of the 'Micro Connect' model lies in the securitization of the future operational cash flow of domestic chain enterprise stores. The asset side, whether it is equity or debt, belongs to the category of financial activities and should be included in the financial supervision system.

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Government-Assigned Research Tasks

Since 2021, SAIF ThinkTank has undertaken 60 major projects and produced 51 decision consultation reports. These are commissioned by the CPC Municipal Committee, Municipal Government, Municipal Financial Bureau, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Municipal Education Commission, and Financial and Economic Committee of the Municipal People's Congress of Shanghai.
By targeting key areas in China's financial development and Shanghai's growth as an international financial center, SAIF ThinkTank plays a vital role in policy research and decision-making support.
For example, findings from a special study revising the Shanghai Regulations on Advancing International Financial Center Construction have directly informed new local laws and regulations, providing critical legislative research support.

Key Specialized Research Segments

While undertaking government-assigned research tasks, SAIF ThinkTank also fully utilizes its existing academic foundation and advantages in financial disciplines. It organizes interdisciplinary and cross-institutional joint research centered on overarching, forward-looking, and strategic issues integral to Shanghai's growth as an international financial center, and critical areas including sci-tech innovation finance, sustainable finance, and digital finance.
In order to swiftly establish its influence, SAIF ThinkTank independently and collaboratively conducts two categories of pivotal research projects: annual series of reports that highlight the think tank's areas of expertise and are published on an ongoing basis, as well as substantive thematic research reports that closely monitor and analyze emerging trends across global economic and financial spheres.

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Shanghai International Financial Center Construction Series Report 2022

With the aim of building itself into an international financial center with global influence by 2035, Shanghai is making great efforts to tackle new challenges and further enhance its financial capacities. Against this backdrop, the report presents the results of in-depth research from multiple perspectives, including green finance (published separately), sci-tech innovation finance, fintech, asset management, the cross-border use of RMB, financial opening-up in the Pudong Pioneering Zone, and integrated financial development in the Yangtze River Delta region. The report also consists of suggestions and prospects on improving financial functions and urban capacities, contributing to Shanghai’s further development as an international financial center. It is an insightful reference for economic and financial researchers, government officials and corporate managers.

ESG Finance in the New Era

This publication provides an in-depth examination of the current state and future prospects of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in both domestic and global markets. The first section serves as an Introduction, defining and establishing the framework for ESG Practice and ESG Investment. The second section delves into ESG Practice, providing an analysis of related topics such as the foundation of management economics, industry variances, and performance disclosure through real-world corporate case studies. The third section focuses on ESG Investment, exploring investment strategies, products, financial returns, and investment motivations based on observations of both domestic and international market developments. The fourth section covers ESG Data and Performance Evaluation, discussing relevant data sources, investor responses, and product performance disclosure based on the latest advancements in the field. The fifth and final section is dedicated to ESG in China, focusing on the domestic market and exploring issues such as retail investors, investor composition, excess returns, and carbon neutrality targets.

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