Chinese President Xi Jinping is coming to the United States in September, and think tanks are falling over themselves trying to get him to speak at their institution. Why such desires from think tank land? Landing a big-name figure like the Chinese president brings prestige, media attention, and respect, among other things.
Here is what one Chinese newspaper is reporting:
[Chinese Ambassador to the United States] Cui Tiankai says numerous organizations and think-tanks have sent out requests for Xi Jinping to speak to them. He says they're doing their best to try to fit as many in as they can.
Mr. Xi seems to have a particular affinity toward think tanks, and he and his group may want to do in-person studies of how the US's most powerful and influential think tanks operate.
But don't worry think tankers. If you don't score Mr. Xi, there is always Pope Francis. He will be visiting Washington, DC later this year and may want to visit a think tank or two.