Ariane Knüsel’s book analyses how the People's Republic of China used Switzerland as headquarters for its economic, political, intelligence, and cultural networks in Europe during the Cold War. It charts how Switzerland came to play this role, and how Chinese networks were built in practice, often beyond the public face of official proclamations and diplomatic interactions. By tracing the development of Sino-Swiss relations in the Cold War, Ariane Knüsel sheds new light on the People's Republic of China's formulation and implementation of foreign policy in Europe, Latin America and Africa and Switzerland's efforts to align neutrality, humanitarian engagement, and economic interests.
In his review, Thoralf Klein (Loughborough University) offers an overview of Knüsel's research findings, points out recurring themes in the relationship between Switzerland and China, and concludes that the book “provides fascinating insights into the post-war histories of both China and Switzerland”.
The full review of the book is available online on infoclio.ch and HSozKult.
Thoralf Klein: Rezension zu: Knüsel, Ariane: China's European Headquarters. Switzerland and China during the Cold War, Cambridge 2022, in: infoclio.ch, 22.08.2023, https://www.infoclio.ch/de/rez?rid=117889>.
