On October 16, the twice-a-decade National Communist Party Congress will begin in Beijing – the most important happening in China’s political calendar. Chinese President Xi Jinping is poised to secure a historic third leadership term and cement his place as the country’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. In addition to appointing key positions that will shape developments in the coming years, the Party Congress will feature a work report that reviews progress made over the last five years and sets the general tone for the next five.

What is Xi’s vision for China? Which decisions taken at the Congress should we pay particular attention to, and what do they mean for China’s future? And will the patterns which have emerged over the years in China’s politics, economy and foreign relations remain the same after the Congress, or are they set to change?

Until July this year, Bernardino Regazzoni served as Ambassador of Switzerland to China and observed the country and the changes happening within its borders first-hand. Ambassador Regazzoni will share his insights with us and venture a prognosis on what the outcome of the Congress means for China, for us here in Switzerland, and for the rest of the world.

This event is taking place in person in Zurich. A flying lunch will be served after the roundtable conversation. The event is held in collaboration with MoneyMuseum.
 

This event is invitation only. Want to receive an invitation? Become a Passport Member today and receive regular invitations to our Executive Roundtables and other exclusive events. More information here.

Bernardino Regazzoni entered the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 1988 and went through his probation at the Office for European Affairs in Berne and at the Embassy of Switzerland in Abidjan. In 1990, he was posted as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kinshasa. On his return to Berne in 1993, he was appointed as Head of the Francophonie Desk, and in 1996 as Deputy Head of the Political Affairs Division I (Europe, North America) holding the title of Minister from 1999. From the same year to September 2002 he was Counsellor for diplomatic affairs to the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs. From September 2002 until July 2006 he was Ambassador of Switzerland to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to the Republic of Maldives, with residence in Colombo.

From July 2006 to the end of 2009 he has been Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Indonesia and to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, with residence in Jakarta. In July 2009 he was concurrently accredited as Ambassador of Switzerland to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). From December 2009 until May 2014 he has been Ambassador of Switzerland to Italy, concurrently accredited to Malta and to the Republic of San Marino. From May 2014 to August 2018 he has been Ambassador of Switzerland to France, concurrently accredited in the Principality of Monaco. From March 2019 to July 2022 he has been Ambassador of Switzerland to the People’s Republic of China, concurrently accredited to Mongolia and to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Ambassador Regazzoni holds a doctorate in Philosophy. He is married and has 2 sons.