[Purpose/significance]One of the goals of Chinese new think tank construction is to "focus on building a group of high-end think tanks with greater influence and international visibility". It is the general trend for Chinese think tanks to go global and develop together with global think tanks. In this process, it is necessary to track the development trends and characteristics of global think tanks and absorb useful experience. [Method/process]Based on the analysis of global think tank index and typical cases, this paper sorts out the macro characteristics of the current think tank development, and puts forward suggestions for China to build a new think tank with Chinese characteristics. [Results/conclusion]The positioning and characteristics of new think tanks with Chinese characteristics should meet the needs of China itself, and more beneficial experience of global think tanks should be absorbed in the aspects of research topics, methods and talents.