A province in south China has approved the first registered private think thank to help advise officials on key issues, the People's Daily reported.

The Southern civil think tank, which consists of 57 members from all walks of life, has been officially inaugurated by Guangdong province to offer suggestions to the municipal government.

The group is made up of ordinary people, including experts, scholars, government and researchers, who are connected to thousands of civil participants.

"Their target is to observe with reasonability and analyze public affairs. They are even required to put forward practical policy suggestions," said Zhang Dongming, Editor-in-Chief of the Nanfang Media Group.