Asia Rising

The balance of power that defined planet earth for the last several centuries is shifting and the world of tomorrow will be very different than the world of today. This TV series is about change, it's about tracking the profound shifts in the world's most dynamic region and it's about understanding how this will affect your life.

This episode is all about demographics; young and old, rich and poor, rural and urban, they are all a part of Asia. There is strength in numbers and Asia has the most impressive numbers in the world. When you consider what it will take to employ, feed and engage billions of active minds, you'll understand what keeps business and political leaders up at night.

Asia has thousands of years of tradition and a unique perspective that encourages cooperation and collaboration. ASEAN, AEC and Free Trade Agreements are modern constructs of a global economic system, but they're ideally suited to the peoples of Asia. The Asian Way means placing a high value on building bridges and removing barriers for the benefit of all.

Demographics, Economics, and the sheer weight of billions of people working and wanting more is reshaping the continent. And it all comes down to infrastructure. The United States and Europe were defined by the Industrial Revolution and now Asia is going through the Inspirational Revolution and the results are profound.

The Chinese are now the largest group of travelers on planet earth. They do more trips and generate more international travel dollars than anyone else. All across Asia travel is booming as a newly wealthy middle class is buying plane tickets, visiting resorts, demanding a new level of luxury and living, learning and sometimes just lunching abroad. How will this massive travel flow change Asia?

In Asia food is love. Food is an obsession; a chance to share, a moment to indulge and an opportunity to connect with family and friends. Asia is the most diversified continent on earth and the food and regional cuisines reflect this huge variation in cultures and economies. But in Asia food is not just cause for celebration, there are also deep- seated issues with food safety and food security.

To say Asians are brand conscious is the understatement of the century. All across the continent 4 billion consumers are seemingly obsessed with buying their way into the good life. Luxury brands, exclusive experiences, auspicious moments and exhortations on being a VIP is the rallying cry of eager marketers who are trying to tap the Asian obsession with status.

Myanmar, Mongolia and Vietnam have the opportunity to change the economics of Asia. These are countries where savvy political decisions and increased foreign direct investment could profoundly revolutionize the way the continent does business. Natural resources, engaged populations and tremendous upside potential put these countries squarely on many companies' radars for investment.

Asia is a vast continent with incalculable resources, both natural and human. From the untapped gas fields of Kazakhstan to Siberia's immense mineral wealth, Asia is home to an incredible store of natural resources. Additionally with such a large and diverse population to draw from, Asia has a remarkable wealth of human capital.

Asians plan in terms of dynasties not days. In the West, businesses worry about the next quarter and politicians struggle to organize their agenda in terms of election cycles, while Asians tend to plan for the long view. This change in mindset allows for responsible leadership and a more patient outlook with an emphasis on continuity and consistent growth.