The concept of the “Asian century” — the idea that the 21st century would belong to Asia —has long captured the imagination of investors and policymakers. Built on expectations of an entrepreneurial and technologically advanced China, a dynamic and fast-growing India, and expanding middle classes across the region, it was seen as the next step in the cyclical shift of global economic power. Yet, by 2025, the phrase comes with more caveats than conviction. Rising geopolitical rivalries, demographic headwinds in China, Japan and South Korea, and the potential impact of de-globalisation are complicating the picture. The increasingly fraught US–China relationship, coupled with the second Trump presidency’s trade and tariff policies, has further sharpened the debate over Asia’s future role.

Still, Asia remains home to some of the world’s most compelling investment opportunities. China is increasingly producing more world leading companies in e-commerce, video gaming and new energy. It continues to shift into higher-end industrials outcompeting Western peers. Taiwan and South Korea hold a dominant position in the global semiconductor supply chain — critical to the AI revolution. Taiwan is seeing particular clustering effects around TSMC and an increasing number of companies are transitioning positively in semi-conductor supply-chains. Singapore and Australia offer well-regulated markets, strong governance, and attractive dividend yields, while India’s rapid digitalisation, resilient macroeconomics, and robust domestic capital flows position it as one of the strongest long-term growth stories globally. 

This webinar, part of a three-part series in partnership with Schroders and linked to the FT Business Book of the Year Awards, will examine how Asia’s leading economies are navigating demographic change, technological transformation, and geopolitical tension — and where the most attractive investment opportunities lie despite the uncertainties.

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