Global think-tank the 21st Century Council will meet in Beijing next month to discuss China's development and role in global governance.

With "Understanding China" as its theme and held from November 1 to 3, the conference will be co-hosted by the Berggruen Institute on Governance, the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS) and the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

According to Wu Jianmin, executive vice chairman of the CIIDS, the meeting will gather former heads of state, top global intellectuals and business leaders. Chinese leaders will meet them and address the conference.

The two-day, closed-door discussions will cover China's politics, economy, diplomacy and defense. Chinese government ministers, provincial governors, noted scholars and business leaders will participate.

"The council believes that, with China's growing overall strength, the country is playing an increasingly important role in restructuring the international political and economic order," Wu said.

"The council expects that, by meeting in Beijing, it can have a better understanding of the ideas and development strategy of the new Chinese leadership in order to further enhance cooperation with China in improving global governance," he added.

The 21st Century Council is a non-governmental forum composed of former heads of state, top global intellectuals and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2011, it is becoming a platform for dialogue and action that is dedicated to addressing key challenges of global governance.