Swiss Enchantment

A vast and hyper-centralized Asian empire built on the premise of an alleged cultural homogeneity. small, federalist Alpine state sustained by ideal coexistence different languages religions. The differences between China Switzerland could not be wider, it is therefore understandable that Swiss confederacy has been fascinating Chinese intellectuals in both modern contemporary era. In late Qing early Republican period, was mentioned prominent figures like Kang Youwei Liang Qichao, who praised its democracy, 1920s political system became a source inspiration for “provincial patriots” Hunan or federalists such as Chen Jiongming. present paper intends to survey these encounters perceptions, focusing transformation institutional model historical experience into “political concept”, reasons final rejection unrealistic utopia unsuited China.