Swiss youth delegation explores democratic practices in Shanghai

A delegation of 17 Swiss young talents visited the Whole-Process People's Democracy Practice Site of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Committees in Shanghai's Changning district on Friday to learn about China's democratic practices, gaining fresh perspectives on governance and cross-cultural understanding between China and Switzerland.

The visit, part of the 2025 Swiss young talents exchange program in Shanghai, provided the Swiss delegation with firsthand experience of Shanghai's democratic consultation system and its practical implementation.

During their visit, the Swiss youth showed interest in understanding how the committees of the CPPCC work and how public feedback is incorporated into governance decisions.

Luisa da Costa, a member of the delegation, expressed surprise at the gap between Western perceptions and her observations. "I didn't know the democratic practices in China because people hear other things about China in the West. I think it is very important that people come here and see what it really is like," she said.

She was particularly impressed by a practical example of how public feedback led to improvements in traffic safety through modifications to traffic light systems for left-turning vehicles.

Rahel Krahenbuhl, a representative of the Swiss Federal Government, shared her insights on China's governance approach, particularly the mechanism for public participation. "I understand now how the system works from the bottom up. If citizens identify problems or solutions, they can voice them through online platforms or directly to committees," she noted.

Krahenbuhl also commented on China's five-year planning system, acknowledging both its challenges and advantages. "While having a five-year deadline creates pressure, it's impressive that these plans are consistently achieved," she said.

The delegation also discussed urban development. Nando Brunett from KPMG Switzerland praised Shanghai's environmental initiatives, particularly noting the widespread use of new energy vehicles that have made the city notably quieter.

The exchange program is undertaken by the German cultural exchange center at the International Affairs Office of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, with support from the China International Talent Exchange Foundation's China Exchange Program for Young International. It aims to strengthen cross-cultural communication between Chinese and Swiss youth while promoting cooperation in academic research and talent development.