First overseas assignment

My first overseas assignment came in November 1996, about three months after I joined Sin Chew Jit Poh. I was sent to Manila to write on-the-spot and running analyses of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

I was, of course, not alone. Two other colleagues were also in my group. While one was in charge of the economic debate and another social issues, I wrote commentaries and analyses on international relations and politics.

It was still the Clinton-Gore period of economic and political liberalism. Everyone was dreaming of The End of History as envisaged by Francis Fukuyama in his book bearing the same title.

Everyone was happy and in positive mood.