Steering a great and storied publication through a transformation is a perilous undertaking. Yet we take comfort in the thought that today's challenge—to ensure that the REVIEW remains essential to understanding the region—is similar to that undertaken by our founding editor, Eric Halpern, in October 1946.

Mr. Halpern, an immigrant from Vienna, initially settled in Shanghai and began publishing a fortnightly business magazine entitled Finance and Commerce. When China descended into civil war, he decamped to Hong Kong and started afresh with a weekly, the FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW. For the first issue, he penned a brief but enduring Editorial Statement, which declared:

The purpose of this weekly economic publication is to analyze and interpret financial, commercial and industrial developments; to collect economic news; and to present views and opinions with the intent to improve existing conditions. Politics and economics being connatural, it will be inevitable that this publication may at times appear to transgress its primary objective by reporting on, and dealing with, political affairs.

At any time and in every case unbiased and dispassionate, factual and balanced reporting will be our aim and policy.

Today the REVIEW rededicates itself to those lofty goals. The focus and format of the magazine have adapted over the decades to the evolving needs of our readers, and starting with this issue it is now a monthly rather than a weekly. We will also put more stress on politics, as Asian nations take their rightful place on the world stage. But in many respects this current incarnation closely resembles Mr. Halpern's original creation.

For the first half of the REVIEW's existence, two editors solicited and prepared free-lance articles of opinion and analysis covering the economics and politics of the Asian region. It published some of the most important voices in Asia--ranging from academics like John King Fairbank, to prime ministers like Mahathir Mohamad, to opposition leaders like Benigno Aquino, to business leaders like Sir Lawrence Kadoorie and Richard Li—all of whom recognized the REVIEW as the region's premier forum for exchanging ideas. And so it shall remain.

We seek the most incisive and provocative commentary from Asia's thought leaders of every ideological stripe, background and profession. The primary value judgment applied to the selection of articles will be whether they can advance progress toward prosperity, security and well-being for all Asians. The editors will continue to contribute to the magazine, but these articles will appear under their own bylines and should not be construed as representing the views of the magazine.