Fang Ning is a political scientist, an expert in philosophy and social science in China’s Thousand Talents Plan, and the former Director and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Political Science at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, where he is also a researcher. He is a Chair Professor at Sichuan University.

In his long academic career in political theory and practice, Professor Fang has participated in many important research projects and in writing theoretical works for state ministries. In September 2010, he gave a lecture titled On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People in the New Era at the 23rd collective study session of the Politburo of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and in April 2013, he gave a lecture on Anti-Corruption and Integrity in the History of China at the 5th Politburo collective study session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. 

Professor Fang has always been committed to the pursuit of learning with his feet on the ground—in 2017, he visited the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal on foot, and in 2021, he embarked on a field study of the Aihui-Tengchong Line.