When looking at the origins of public relations in the diverse Asia-Pacific region, it’s easier to talk first about the countries which were, at one time or another, ‘colonised’ by a European power. Public relations in Hong Kong, Malaysia or Singapore, for instance, can be traced back to the period immediately following the second world war, when Britain re-established power to a degree and was then gradually (or dramatically) ousted or negotiated an honourable exit. Along with this strong emphasis on national identity and nation building, the public relations industry grew with the need for governments and corporations to present themselves within their own countries and to the outside world. This process was fastest in Hong Kong and Singapore, as they had the opportunity to portray themselves as gateways to the rest of Asia Pacific.
