As nations grapple with interconnected challenges ranging from climate change to supply chain resilience, former Polish Deputy Prime Minister Grzegorz W. Kołodko emphasizes the critical need for sustainable international partnerships in an exclusive interview with KhabarAsia. The distinguished economist, now teaching at Beijing Normal University's Belt & Road School, shared unique perspectives on China’s economic strategies and their global implications.
Long-Term Planning in a Volatile World
Kołodko highlighted China’s distinctive approach to economic governance, noting: "The Chinese mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan demonstrates how structured, forward-looking policies can anchor global markets during periods of uncertainty." This year has seen increased coordination between China’s industrial policy and international development initiatives through mechanisms like the Belt & Road partnership framework.
Bridging East and West
The professor drew parallels between European recovery programs and Asian infrastructure investments, suggesting that "the true test of 21st-century diplomacy will be creating win-win scenarios across different political systems." He particularly noted Poland’s strategic position as both an EU member and key participant in China-CEE cooperation mechanisms.
Stability Through Innovation
With global FDI flows projected to grow 2.4% in 2025 according to recent UNCTAD data, Kołodko stressed that "sustainable partnerships require balancing technological sovereignty with open collaboration." He pointed to renewable energy and digital infrastructure as key areas where Asian leadership could drive worldwide economic stability.
