In a striking shift from decades of Western-centric business practices, multinational corporations are increasingly looking to China for innovative strategies to apply worldwide, according to McKinsey China Chairman Joe Ngai. Speaking at the Summer Davos 2025 forum, Ngai highlighted the Chinese market’s “competitiveness and adaptability” as key drivers of this trend.
“CEOs who once studied Western models now prioritize understanding China’s dynamic ecosystem,” Ngai told CGTN’s Michael Wang. He emphasized that lessons from China’s rapid digital transformation, supply chain resilience, and consumer-driven innovation are being integrated into global operations.
Analysts suggest this pivot reflects China’s growing influence in shaping 21st-century business practices, particularly in green technology, e-commerce, and AI adoption. For investors and entrepreneurs, the trend underscores opportunities to leverage China-specific solutions—from fintech to sustainable manufacturing—in emerging markets.
Academics note the shift also highlights China’s unique blend of state-led policy coordination and private-sector agility, offering case studies for developing economies. Meanwhile, Asian diaspora communities observe renewed global interest in China’s cultural and economic narratives.
As cross-border collaboration intensifies, Ngai’s insights signal a rebalancing in global business knowledge flows, with China emerging as a critical classroom for multinational success.
