Opinion | How Asia can ensure peace and prosperity for another 60 years, amid growing protectionism, decoupling and climate change
- Over the past 60 years, Asia’s growing share of the world economy has come at the expense of the West
- With India and Asean about to reap the same demographic dividend as China, how Asia manages Western insecurities and societal rifts will be key

On September 16, Malaysia celebrates its 57th national day, having celebrated on August 31 the 63rd anniversary of independence from Britain in 1957. What does independence mean to former colonies? It means a nation is free to choose its future, independent from imperial influence.
Of course, the British left behind the English language, the rule of law and a durable administrative structure, still practised in many former colonies. We should also be grateful that decolonisation was encouraged by the post-war American administration, which did not want any challenges to its dominant status, British cousins or not.

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Seen over a 60-year cycle, Asia’s transformation has been world shattering. In 1960, developing Asia (excluding Japan) accounted for only 4.1 per cent of world gross domestic product, measured in constant 2010 US dollar terms. That year, the European Union accounted for 36.2 per cent and the United States, 30.6 per cent. Japan was already a developed country with 7 per cent of world GDP.
