I started regularly writing columns in Bolivia. Before that, I contributed the odd column to NRC Handelsblad, a leading Dutch newspaper and Intermediair, a Dutch weekly. Once posted at the Netherlands Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, my Ambassador at the time stimulated me to write a column about a subject he and I discussed. The fact that a diplomat is allowed to express his opinions in newspapers is unusual. Hence, my gratitude to my boss for allowing me to do so. Once I had published the first column, I could not stop writing, as this was gratifying and, to be honest, good for my ego. I continued writing columns in Zambia. Needless to say that my Ambassador there also allowed me to do so. In the end I contributed monthly columns to a national newspaper, a monthly magazine and a glossy publication popular among expats in Lusaka.

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The Chinese translation of From Keynes to Piketty brought me in contact with Gaosheng Wealth Holding Group, an investment company, that had selected my book to be distributed to its 3500 clients. Gaosheng invited me to speak about the contents of my book, an invitation I gladly accepted. I spoke to audiences in Beijing , Shanghai, Dalian and Hangzhou. Since then, I contribute monthly columns to Gaosheng’s magazine Fortune World.