PHILIPPINES OFWS

A continent reality check

An episode from the series THE ASIAN CENTURY

Synopsis

At the turn of the 21st century, all pundits predicted the dawn of the so-called “Asian Century”.

But even if no one today disputes the geopolitical and economic importance of that continent led by China and India, the early blind optimism has been blunted by the 2008 economic crisis as well as worries of a graying population, social unrest, cultural erosion, and a whole array of overlooked problems.

This series examines what lessons the slower-than-expected journey to pre-eminence has taught its citizens and the challenges that lie ahead. In addition to learning about these macro-level issues, it gets to grips with what the “Asian Century” means to everyday people.