Paris: The New Switzerland
At the Asia Society France Summer Summit in Paris, leaders and Wharton alumni exchanged perspectives on the city’s unique diplomatic role in modern geopolitics. The event reflected how Paris, though lacking the hard power of Washington or Beijing, serves as a neutral meeting ground for global dialogue.
Drawing an analogy to Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Problem, where balance determines survival, the discussion positioned the United States, China, and the European Union as the three dominant forces shaping today’s world. Paris, strategically placed between these centers of power, now mediates ideas and fosters understanding beyond ideological divides.
“We designed Paris as a place to transcend binaries — beyond ‘hawk’ or ‘dove,’ beyond capital-to-capital talking points,” said Duncan Clark, founding trustee and co-chair of Asia Society France. “China’s decisions now shape supply chains, tech standards, and climate outcomes worldwide. You need a room where that complexity can be explored with rigor — and without theatrics.”
Paris as a Stage for Global Dialogue
The summit emphasized Paris’s role as a conduit for nuanced debate, one where nations can engage in thoughtful exchange without the pressures of political spectacle. In that sense, Paris is evolving into a kind of “New Switzerland” — a place defined by neutrality, conversation, and perspective rather than power projection.
Author’s Summary
Paris now stands as a diplomatic crossroads — a modern Switzerland where global leaders engage in open, balanced dialogue outside the boundaries of traditional political rivalry.