Seminar: How to Understand Contemporary China

An Introduction to a Nation That Is Changing Itself and the World

May 20, 2021 – June 12, 2021

China’s rise to the global stage is the biggest story of our times and will shape the world for decades to come. Understanding it and assessing the conflicting reports about China requires a structured knowledge of the historic, economic and cultural basis for China’s rapid ascension. This intensive seminar featuring international and Swiss experts will provide you with the tools to analyze China’s rise and identify the opportunities that come with it.

Register for the seminar here >>

Certificate
HWZ Academy-Certificate «Understanding contemporary China»

Duration
4 evenings and 2 Saturday mornings

Dates
May 20, 2021, 17:30 to 20:45: Introduction – ZURICH AND ONLINE
May 27, 2021, 17:30 to 20:45: Chinese History – ONLINE
June 3, 2021, 17:30 to 20:45: China’s Economy – ONLINE
June 5, 2021, 09:00 to 12:15: China and the World – ONLINE
June 10, 2021, 17:30 to 20:45: China’s Political System – ONLINE
June 12, 2021, 09:00 to 12:15: Doing Business in China – ZURICH AND ONLINE

Class size
max. 20 participants

Location
Online or HWZ, Lagerstrasse 5, Zurich

Language
English

Fee
CHF 1‘890 incl. handouts
CHF 100 discount for Asia Society Switzerland members (indicate upon registration) and alumniHWZ, KV, ZGP-members
CHF 300 for proof of transfer (optional)

Partner

Asia Society Switzerland conducts this seminar in cooperation with HWZ, University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich.

Course description

China and its rise affect everyone – whether your company has business there or not. Understanding the economic, political and cultural shifts this brings with it is key to stay ahead for Western businesses, NPOs and governments, and to identify opportunities and potential threats. This seminar gives you the analytical tools to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary China.

Key Contents

The need for China Competence
Chinese history: The big picture
China’s economy: A macro view
China and the World: International Organizations
The political system: Efficient bureaucracy
Doing business in China

Your Benefit

In this six-module seminar, you will

get in-depth insights on China’s history, economy, and political system that help you understand what is happening today;
get hands-on insights on interacting with China on a political and business level from experts with decades of experience;
get the ability to analyze and assess future developments on your own.

Participants

This seminar is targeted towards senior executives in Swiss and international companies, NPOs and government agencies who are working with China, or want to include China’s development into their strategic decision-making process. The maximum number of participants is 20. What participants of earlier seminars say:

“Very valuable source for understanding contemporary China.”

“The series was excellent, great value for money, a superb entry to seeking to understand China and I would strongly recommend it.”

“Definitely a session that I’d recommend to anyone who is even mildly curious about China.”

Head of Studies

Nico Luchsinger
Co-Executive Director of Asia Society Switzerland

Serena Jung
Program Manager, Asia Society Switzerland

Lecturers

Markus Herrmann
Director and Managing Director Switzerland at Sinolytics, Europe Advisor to Caixin Media, and Board Member of the Swiss Forum of Foreign Policy

Matthias Kamp
Head of the Asia team at the economics department of the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung and its designated correspondent to China

Uli Sigg
Former Swiss Ambassador to China, North Korea and Mongolia, Member of the Board of Asia Society Switzerland, Vice Chairman of the Board of Ringier, and Member of the Advisory Board of China Development Bank, of the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and of the International Advisory Council of Tate Gallery in London

Jennifer Altehenger
Associate Professor of Chinese History and Jessica Rawson Fellow in Modern Asian Studies at the University of Oxford and Merton College

Margit Molnar
Head of China Desk at the OECD Economics Department

Jue Wang
Lecturer, Leiden University; Associate Fellow, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House

Dirk Schmidt
Tenured Senior Lecturer and Senior Researcher of China's Political Economy at Trier University

Andries Diener
Partner at real estate investment firm Asia Green Real Estate and President of the Swiss-Chinese Association

John-James Farquharson
Part-time executive MBA University Lecturer and former Head of HR at Conzzeta, China National Blue Star Group, and Syngenta among others

René Meile
Partner at Galerie Urs Meile in Lucerne and Beijing where he is responsible for all Asia-related business.

Registration

Register for the seminar here.

Partner