Through the Eyes of Tiger Cubs: Views of Asias Next Generation

"The Tiger Cubs will soon inherit Asia and with that vast challenges ranging from inequality to water security. Fresh insights from the up–and–coming presented in Through the Eyes of Tiger Cubs: Views of Asia′s Next Generation show that the Cubs are up for it.
—Marjorie Yang Chairman, Esquel Group, Hong Kong

"As in all previous generations, Tiger Cubs lack historic perspective and so are also not burdened by it. Their views on the future are thus worth contemplating. After all, they and not we the older folks, will have to live with it. If we do not muck up things too badly, which is a distinct possibility, then the ideas of our young as documented in this book should help point the way. We all wish that as Mr. Deng Xiaoping says, our next generation will be brighter than we are and so has a better chance of mapping out a brighter future."
—Ronnie C. Chan Chairman, Hang Lung Properties, Hong Kong; Co–Chair, Asia Society

"The subjects covered in this book are not new. They have been covered in many essays and commentaries in the media. But this book is different in that it sees these problems and issues from the view point of the Tiger Cubs generation, those born after 1978. Their views can be disconcerting to the older generation who focused on survival and built the foundation for the life of the Tiger Cubs generation. Nevertheless we have to listen to them because they will shape the world in which the older generation will live out their last years."
—S. Dhanabalan Chairman, Temasek Holdings (Private) Ltd., Singapore

"While the challenges Asia faces over the next 10 years are formidable, if the essays submitted for Asia?s Challenge 2020 are any indication, our future is in the good hands of many intelligent, creative, globally minded, locally active thinkers. I will do all I can to support this new generation of future leaders in their efforts to promote greater harmony and a higher quality of life in Asia and throughout the world."
—Nobuyuki Idei CEO, Quantum Leaps Corp., Japan

"Through the Eyes of Tiger Cubs brings to the fore the perspectives, pragmatism, aspirations, hopes, and beliefs of the next generation of young leaders across Asia. I would recommend this book as a ?must–read? for business leaders and scholars of globalization across the world."
—N. R. Narayana Murthy Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Ltd., India

"The Asia?s Challenge 2020 essay contest was a unique opportunity for young Asians to articulate their views about the obstacles the region faces over the next decade. As a judge I was struck by the wide range of issues and impressed by solutions offered to the many challenges facing Asia. With the publication of this timely and much–needed book, readers now have the opportunity to hear first–hand about the hopes and concerns of Asia′s rising generation."
—Lubna Olayan Deputy Chairman and CEO, Olayan Financing Co., Saudi Arabia

"This book is a must–read for those interested in and concerned about Asia?s long–term growth. It presents in a systematic way the region?s great challenges from the eyes of young Asians. Understanding the thoughts of those who will ultimately take up leadership responsibilities offers insights on Asia′s future direction."
—Qin Xiao Chairman, Boyuan Foundation, China

Foreword by Kishore Mahbubani vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Part I Asia’s People 9

Chapter 1 Education 11

Introduction 11

Education Access 14

Education Quality 22

Future Career 26

Conclusion 32

Chapter 2 Inequality 35

Introduction 35

Human Development 38

Poverty Alleviation 45

Conclusion 47

Chapter 3 Demographics 49

Introduction 49

Population Growth 51

Aging 57

Conclusion 62

Part II Asia’s Community 65

Chapter 4 Environment 67

Introduction 67

Natural Disasters 70

Water 74

Food 77

Energy 79

Conclusion 83

Chapter 5 Governance 87

Introduction 87

Representation 90

Private Sector 96

Conclusion 102

Chapter 6 Geopolitics 105

Introduction 105

Chinese Dominance 106

Regional Conflict 109

Decoupling from the West 112

Conclusion 114

Chapter 7 Asian Identity 117

Introduction 117

Regional Integration 119

Economic Growth and Asian Values 130

Preservation of Local Differences 134

Conclusion 137

Afterword 141

Appendix: Winning Essays 143

Notes 179

About the Authors 187

List of Contributors 189

Index 191

Mark L. Clifford is Executive Director of the Hong Kong–based Asia Business Council. Before joining the Council in 2007, he spent 25 years in journalism, mostly in Asia. Clifford previously was editor–in–chief of the South China Morning Post; prior to that he was publisher and editor–in–chief of The Standard and had senior positions with Business Week and the Far Eastern Economic Review. Clifford is the recipient of numerous prizes for his reporting, including the Overseas Press Club Award for best foreign business reporting for his coverage, as part of a Business Week team, of the Asian financial crisis. He is an honors graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and was a Walter Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University in 1986–1987. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Janet Pau is program director of the Asia Business Council, where she leads research, publications, and member initiatives on a variety of topics related to Asia?s economic development and competitiveness. Before joining the Council, Ms. Pau was Manager at A.T. Kearney?s Global Business Policy Council in Washington, D.C., where she did strategy consulting projects for corporate and government clients around the world and co–authored a variety of the firm′s flagship publications. She obtained a BA from Yale University and an MPP from Harvard University.