1511

This is an Asean history lesson for today, to remind ourselves how far we have come in present day South East Asia, and why old family Crazy Rich Asians exist:

It was the year 1511. Trade flourished between kingdoms in the East and West and gave people livelihoods. Empires that capitalized on this flourished, such as the Malaccan Sultanate. Eastern and Western traders all converged in Malacca, a thriving entrepôt nation in the region.

The Portugese conquered Malacca in 1511, beginning the first wave of colonization, followed by the French, the Dutch, Spanish and the British. Thus, 1511 marked the fall of independence for peaceful, trading nations in present day South East Asia, beginning hundreds of years of colonial rule and Western imperialism.

500 years later after 1511, we are back in times of economic growth, trading freely with one another, living in peace in the same region. We are re-entering another golden era of trade in Asia, when the economies of our former colonial masters are now falling behind us.

What has enabled this growth in trade to accelerate so quickly over a mere 45 years, barely after most countries in this region had gained independence?

It is the vision our leaders had for this region 45 years ago, when they realize that forming Asean meant a better life for all its 600m citizens, and a more prosperous region for all.

It is this dream of peace and prosperity that we are living now as an Asean community, over 500 years on. 1511 still lives on, serving as a reminder of our past, as shaped by the West. Asean is a reality of what we are shaping today. Today, we're able to shape our own destinies together, something our forefathers could only have dreamed of doing. Let's cherish this time when we can share our dreams and take to the skies, once again.

15 more days to go to Asean Day :)

Asean Day is celebrated annually on 8th August.