Transparent citizens, police state, totalitarian rule: The catchphrases used to describe the Social Credit System (SCS) are oftentimes lurid. China has announced to introduce a rating system by 2020, which measures and expresses the social behaviour of citizens and companies. Is the system the Orwellian nightmare that Western media often depicts it as, or is the story more complicated? In Asia Society Switzerland’s summer series, we try to shed some light on what the SCS really is, and how it works.

Transparent citizens, police state, totalitarian rule: The catchphrases used to describe the Social Credit System (SCS) are oftentimes lurid. China has announced to introduce a rating system by 2020, which measures and expresses the social behaviour of citizens and companies. Is the system the Orwellian nightmare that Western media often depicts it as, or is the story more complicated? In Asia Society Switzerland’s summer series, we try to shed some light on what the SCS really is, and how it works.

Transparent citizens, police state, totalitarian rule: The catchphrases used to describe the Social Credit System (SCS) are oftentimes lurid. China has announced to introduce a rating system by 2020, which measures and expresses the social behaviour of citizens and companies. Is the system the Orwellian nightmare that Western media often depicts it as, or is the story more complicated? In Asia Society Switzerland’s summer series, we try to shed some light on what the SCS really is, and how it works.

Dr. Norbert Riedel and Johannes Matyassy in late June shared their view on Europe's political approach towards China in an event hosted by Asia Society Switzerland. They both have extensive knowledge about the region since they served or have served as head of the Asia-Pacific offices in their respective countries.

With the book recommendations from our members and colleagues around the world, we will get you covered for the summer season.

In June 2018, only days before the U.S.-North Korea summit, Asia Society Switzerland invited Katharina Zellweger to talk about everyday life in North Korea. She has been visiting the country for decades now and lived there between 2006 and 2011. Katharina Zellweger gave illustrative account of how citizens live in one of the least known areas of the world.

In May 2018 Asia Society Switzerland was touring Switzerland with the guest speaker John Park, a specialist on North Korea and nuclear issues. On our way the Berne, we had the chance to talk with him about how one becomes – and stays – an expert on probably the least known country in the world.

Partner, competitor, or incompatible – the relations to China are often a variety of things at the same time. On Monday, June 25 2018, German Ambassador Norbert Riedel and Swiss Ambassador Johannes Matyassy discussed how the Asian policies of Germany and Switzerland compare and what can be learned from each other.

On Monday we had the pleasure to listen to Amb. Paul Seger and SRF Correspondent Karin Wenger discuss the current state of Myanmar. Having presented the developments by both a diplomat and a journalist, we got to listen to a wide range of views and thoughts.

How do people live in North Korea? How do they spend their spare time? Former Swiss representative in Pyongyang, Katharina Zellweger, provided insights into the unknown and gave account of the diverse economical and social change.