Grzegorz W. Kolodko, Distinguished Professor of the Belt and Road School, Beijing Normal University, Won the 14^th Special Book Award of China

Grzegorz W. Kolodko, Distinguished Professor of the Belt and Road School and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, has written a new book for the Emerging Markets Institute Library of Beijing Normal University – Will China Save the World? [EMIL Volume 15, published by Encyclopedia of China Publishing House (ECPH) in 2019]. Prof. Kolodko is also a world-renowned economist. The book was awarded the 14^th Special Book Award of China, the highest award in the Chinese publishing industry for overseas publication. The award ceremony was held in Beijing a few days ago. Prof. Kolodko attended the ceremony via video and delivered a speech, and the Polish Ambassador to China received the trophy and certificate on behalf of him.

This is the 14^th year since the Special Book of China Award was established in 2005. The award, sponsored by China National Press and Publication Administration, is the highest award in the Chinese publishing industry for overseas publications. It mainly honors foreign and foreign-born Chinese writers, translators and publishers having made outstanding contributions in introducing contemporary China to overseas, promoted Chinese publications and related cultural products, and facilitated exchanges and mutual learning among Chinese and foreign civilizations.

In the video speech, Grzegorz W. Kolodko said that no country in history has ever achieved the level of social and economic development that China has achieved, and that the achievement would be difficult to replicate in the future.

He said that his motherland, Poland, is considered a prosperous country with per capita GDP in 2020 nearly tripled compared with that of 30 years ago, while during the same period, China has expand her GDP by 11.5 times. During the COVID-19 pandemic when the world economy has suffered severe depression, China's national income continued to grow. And when the number of people living in extreme poverty in some countries continues to rise, China has completely eradicated extreme poverty.

He pointed out that by 2025, China would join the ranks of developed economies, with global competitiveness and green development both enhanced. In the Five-year Plan for 2021-2025, the new development philosophy has been highlighted, and President Xi Jinping has announced China's development vision for the next 15 years, in which the annual GDP growth maintains a high rate, 4.7%. That means China's GDP per capita in 2030 will be nearly 19 times compared with that of 40 years ago.

He also said that obviously, the irrational trade war raised by the United States cannot stop such structural reforms. China’s admirable achievements have been made possible by the steady implementation of pragmatic policies in a unique political and economic system built by a whole generation after Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening-up policy was carried out. It is a brand new system of quality, a unique synergy built between the state and the market, which has been integrated into the international labor market with powerful meritocracy, big wisdom, and comprehensive policy. China has gained the ability to maintain advantage in the current globalization situation, advocating vigorously for multilateralism while expanding the scope of win-win globalization. Thereby, China can make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the world economy, which will by time benefit the significant Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other nations will eventually benefit from China's success.

The Emerging Markets Institute Library of Beijing Normal University aims to explore successful development paths and policy choices for the future by summarizing and comparing development experiences and lessons drawn from emerging markets and developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Meanwhile, by studying critical issues related to the BRI and its development, the library aims to provide intellectual support for BRI’s development, promote high-quality BRI cooperation, and contribute to positive responses of global challenges. So far, the Library has published 15 books on emerging markets and BRI research, including Latin America 2040; Central Asia 2050; Africa 2050; China and Emerging Markets; Calculation, Ranking and Evaluation of the Comprehensive Development Level of Countries along the Belt and Road; and Overview of the Belt and Road Initiative, etc.