Based on the literature review and empirical analysis of the government think tank and innovation-driv-en development,this article interprets and analyzes the positive correlation between the size and the output of gov-ernment think tanks and the innovation-driven development. The article discusses the functions of governmentthink tank from two dimensions:the influence of "ideological product" and the influence of media on public opin-ion. Finally,the author makes some suggestions for improving government think tanks,e.g. building a new patternfor think tank construction,giving full play to the new functions of the think tanks and enhancing the new influenceof think tanks,so as to promote the innovation-driven development.