On 2 December, Pascal Coppens' new book China's Next Miracle was launched at KBC in Ghent — an event co-organized with the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce, KBC Bank, and nexxworks, and attended by over 200 business leaders, innovators, and policymakers. Special thanks to KBC Bank — the FCCC’s founding member — for hosting us at their premises.
Matthias De Clercq (nexxworks) opened the evening by setting the stage for a conversation about innovation, transformation, and the shifting global landscape. Pascal’s keynote made one thing unmistakably clear: China is no longer the “factory of the world”. It is rapidly becoming a scientific and technological powerhouse, producing more engineers, more patents, and more high-impact research than any other nation. Behind this rise lies a radically different innovation model.
As Pascal explains, China is entering its “fourth miracle”, driven by an outside-in approach where innovation begins with rapid experimentation, massive capacity, and continuous market learning, eventually evolving into world-class quality. This inverted pathway challenges traditional Western innovation logic and signals a profound global shift.
Gwenn Sonck (Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce) delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the key takeaways and reinforcing the importance of understanding—not underestimating—China’s evolving role in global business.
China’s Next Miracle is more than a book.
It is a wake-up call, a compass—and at times, a mirror.
It is essential reading for business leaders navigating a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Throughout the book, Pascal shares over 100 “red pills”—concise, practical insights that challenge assumptions and help leaders view China’s innovation model with sharper clarity.
• China isn’t just catching up; it is reshaping how innovation happens.
• Our opportunity lies in understanding this shift and defining our place within it.
A thought-provoking evening and an important call to rethink the future.
