Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences (GZASS), founded in 1981, is a comprehensive research institute affiliated to the municipal government of Guangzhou, China. Guided by the principle of Knowing the World, Inheriting Civilization, Innovating Theories, Consulting and Educating, Serving the Society, GZASS focuses on Guangzhou related  strategy and policy studies in various areas including urban innovation and internalization, regional economy, social governance, finance, industry development, trade and commerce, culture, history, rural research, etc. Currently GZASS has 13 research institutes, 4 functional departments and 156 staff. It also leads the Periodical Office of Open Time, one of the most influential social science journals in China.

As one of the leading think tanks in southern China, GZASS applies a Hub+Network model to achieve its goal of high standard and quality. Based on the academic platforms of the Yearly Blue Book series, Leader’s Reference Report, Guangzhou Internationalization Report, Think Tank Book Collections, etc, and research centers including Guangzhou Urban Strategy Research Institute, Urban Innovation Research Institute, Cultural Industry Research Centers, etc., GZASS has established academic relationships with various international organizations and research institutes world wide like GaWC, Metropolis, World City Culture Forum, World Bank and so on, and has organized many international conferences such as International Forum on Global City Studies, Think Tank Forum of Guangzhou Culture Trade Fair.