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Situated in the south-east corner of the Hall of Honour of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, and matching the Africa Salon on the other side, the purpose of this ceremonial salon during the 1931 Colonial Exposition was to house the office of Maréchal Lyautey, general commissioner of the exposition. It was named Asia Salon for the frescoes and furniture decorating it. It is one of the spaces classified as historic monuments since 1987.

The French colonial Empire was at its height during the inter-war period. The very valiant participation of colonial soldiers in the French armies during World War 1, and the recruitment of thousands of colonial workers, had reinforced the idea that the colonies were useful, and even necessary, if France were to keep its rank as a great political and military power and be able to resist another conflict. The African infantryman, whose image used to feature on Banania cocoa tins, was a popular figure, reflecting the image of the “good black soldier” fighting for France.