Founded in August 2000, Shanghai Center for RimPac Strategic and International Research is a private non-enterprise unit (legal person) legally registered in Shanghai Bureau of Civil Affairs, with Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations as the responsible unit. As one of the earliest private think tanks established under the care of Mr. Wang Daohan, then president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, the center is committed to the research of topics and policies related to China's political and economic development and security interests. The center puts China's interests first, takes safeguarding China's economic interests worldwide and gaining a greater say in international affairs as its mission, and advocates the establishment of international relations and order in the new era with peace and development as its purpose.

In the process of formulating the phased research direction and topics, the center pays more attention to the changing of the international situation and demonstration of China's international strategy, international relations, international image and international discourse as it gradually steps into the international arena. Since its establishment, the center has completed a series of research projects related to global strategy, national security, the cross-strait relations, and other important topics. The center cooperates with a number of domestic and foreign think tanks to carry out academic exchange activities, hold international academic seminars, and annually submits special reports and policy suggestions to the government, compiles and publishes research reports, papers and monographs, and strategic journals, which are highly valued by relevant government leaders and academic circles, and some of which have been adopted and implemented by leaders at the central government. In 2006 and 2021, the center was awarded the title of "Shanghai Excellent Private Social Science Research Institute".

With the continuous enhancement of China's comprehensive national strength and international status, especially with the increasingly fierce game between great powers, the center keeps pace with the times, actively participates in and even host international academic exchanges, and explores research fields on the basis of the original structure. In addition, a number of regional research centers have been added to create regular publications and a series of lectures. The center provides scholarship programs for young scholars and research professionals, aiming to fulfill their mission and take the lead in the industry, provides better and more comprehensive suggestions for the government and enterprises, and delivers international standard professional consulting services.

The Center cooperates extensively with African governments, enterprises, think tanks and media, dedicating itself to better explore the African market for Chinese enterprises, and successfully landing there. At present, the Center is working with partners from Europe and the United States to compile a special report on risk analysis and sustainability research of Chinese investment in Africa.