The Economic and Social Research Institute, a research arm of the Cabinet Office, said Thursday it has set up a study group on China.

The 10-member group will start a study project next week on the theme of "China and the international economy in the new century," and plans to compile a report by the fall, officials at the institute said.

Its members include Motoshige Ito, a professor at the University of Tokyo, and Taichi Sakaiya, former chief of the Economic Planning Agency, now reorganized into the Cabinet Office, and currently special adviser to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

The group will hold its first meeting Monday to discuss the impact of China's December entry into the World Trade Organization.