- Sponsor benefit: +10% Production toward wonders and +25% worker speed.
Although badly affected by the Great Mistake and the upheaval that followed, the Pan-Asian Cooperative emerged as a strong transnational entity. Centered on the old People's Republic of China, the Cooperative spans Asia from the Mongolian steppes to the megalopolis of Bangkok, with even former regional rivals South Korea and Japan laying their differences aside to work in the framework of the Pan-Asian Cooperative. It is a powerhouse of industry, home to world-class R&D and high-tech corporations, and boasts a skilled population living in Earth's most populous cities. Although relatively new to spaceflight and space colonization, the Pan-Asian Cooperative has quickly caught up to or passed the old Space Bloc as it embraces the Seeding.
Playstyle
Daoming Sochua leads the Pan-Asian Cooperative, a group that develops their cities quite well for research and culture. Expect them to keep up well in the science race, with modern military units and good locations to defend.
The downside of Sochua's leadership is that she won't field enough of those nice, modern units. She's not much of a killer, so you're in great shape against her if you can survive the early push into her territory. Don't attack quickly if you're going after the Pan-Asian Cooperative. Instead, lure them into battles outside of their cities and orbital territory. In the open field, they're weak and vulnerable. Beat off this early rush, and then head into the Colony's juicy interior.
Or maybe you're looking to join the Pan-Asian Cooperative? They have a similar playstyle to Egypt on the last Civilization release. Gain major points and advantages by securing multiple wonders without as much investment in time or production. This makes it easier to develop good cities and a strong empire. However, it makes you a clear target for both human and AI opponents. Do not neglect your military. It's okay to play things defensively, but don't be a pushover. Your wonders won't mean anything if you lose your cities.
Consider starting off with a free worker. The Pan-Asian Cooperative bonus cuts at least a turn off of most activities that workers need to accomplish. This lets you grab substantial bonuses in your early cities that much sooner.
Daoming Sochua
- Strengths: Culture, Energy, Science
- Weaknesses: Military, Diplomacy
Sochua is a driven, overachieving scientist-engineer who is willing to push ethical boundaries in pursuit of scientific advances. She is particularly proud of her Chinese cultural heritage and encourages the old traditions in everything from dress and housing to diet and manners, albeit adapted to the alien environment of the new planet. This dichotomy is reflected in her dress, for she often wears traditional Chinese clothing topped with an open white lab coat. She is a brilliant woman who is one step short of a "mad scientist," and she made her mark in research on and exploitation of new energy sources. She is relatively youthful[md]in her late 30s[md]but accomplished. She has no close family or confidants, only underlings. Polite but stern and demanding, her dealings with non-Asians range from dismissive to aggressive. She typically keeps her emotions inscrutable and under control but may display them if she thinks she can gain an advantage by doing so. She can be a loyal ally or a fierce adversary, depending on her own agenda.
Born to a Chinese mother and Cambodian father, Daoming Sochua was raised in the traditions of both cultures. She tested at genius levels at a very young age and progressed rapidly through the state-sponsored school systems for gifted children. She quickly surpassed her parents, who were both university professors in the sciences, and her bright siblings in her studies. Entering university in her early teens, she proved focused and motivated to dominate her older peers.
By the age of 30, she held four PhDs in electrical engineering, nano-electronics, nuclear physics, and bubble fusion. Pioneering groundbreaking methods for extracting energy from sources heretofore thought exhausted, as well as deep-sea and off-world resources, Daoming Sochua was presented with numerous international awards before joining the Pan-Asian Cooperative's Bureau of Scientific Revolution. She was specifically recruited by the Cooperative Space Agency for her experience with energy research and unconventional power systems. Daoming was brilliant, driven, and single-minded in her roles, whether as a researcher or administrator.
When she was appointed to head a number of innovative (and perhaps dangerous) projects undertaken by the Cooperative, she revealed a talent for administration. Motivated by the Seeding, she volunteered to head one of the missions to colonize other planets for Pan-Asia. At the time, she was in charge of research studies aimed at overcoming the Inflection Point, knowledge that would serve her in good stead in her new role. Throwing herself into her role as mission leader, Sochua brought her characteristic single-mindedness to decisions on the outfitting and launch of "her" colony, driving her crew and staff unrelentingly. Although not beloved by the colonists on the one-way trip, she was highly respected, which was all that Daoming Sochua expected or demanded.