What is the difference between asia and china

The terrain of Vietnam was quite different than the geography of other areas where the US had previously fought. Much of Southeast Asia was tropical rainforest, and was ill-suited for the types of tanks and heavy artillery that had been so successful in World War II. The Viet Cong, referring to the Vietnamese communists, engaged in guerrilla warfare, using the terrain to support small, mobile military units.

In the end, waning support for the Vietnam War led the US to withdraw and in , Vietnam was unified under communist rule. Over 1 million Vietnamese and 58, Americans died in the fighting. Khmer refers to the dominant ethnic group in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge opposed Westernization and US involvement in the newly independent country and believed in a return to an agrarian society.

Urban cities would no longer be the economic and political focus, but rather wealth would be spread out around the countryside. Large prison camps were set up to house those who were believed to be a threat to communism. Cambodians of other ethnicities or who practiced religion were also executed. In total, more than one million people were killed, often buried in mass graves known as the Killing Fields.

In , Vietnamese forces invaded Cambodia and defeated the Khmer Rouge, but human rights continue to be severely restricted in the country. Much of East and Southeast Asia exhibits characteristics of a shatter belt , an area of political instability that is caught between the interests of competing states. Beginning in the colonial era and continuing today, Western involvement in this region has at times led to industrialization and economic growth and at other times economic depression and a drive to return to traditional values.

Today, political instability continues to plague several countries in the region. Despite the political changes and conflicts that marked the 20th century, the 21st century has largely been marked by economic development across East and Southeast Asia.

Economic geography is a branch of geography that explores the spatial aspect of economic development. However, development is not spread evenly across the region and economic inequalities still persist. Global connections have been the principle driver of economic success in East and Southeast Asia.

Much of the trade connections have emerged between the countries in this region and the larger Pacific Rim , referring to the countries that border the Pacific Ocean. The organization aimed to promote political security, economic growth, and social development among member countries. In China and Japan, histories of relative isolation gave way to an embrace of globalization and global trade. These SEZs are located in coastal China and have special incentives to attract foreign investment see Figure 9.

Other capitalist shifts have occurred in China even allowing for US supermarkets and restaurants to open locations in the country. These SEZs, as well as other special development areas in China, have functioned as growth poles , which are areas that have attracted economic development in the region. In , China displaced the United States as the global leader in manufacturing. Hong Kong is the primary destination for Chinese foreign direct investment, but substantial sums also flow to countries in Africa as well as Australia, where China is the largest trading partner.

Within Southeast Asia, China is now the top investor in Myanmar and has increased foreign direct investment in Singapore. While China and Japan remain the largest economies in the region, other areas have experienced high rates of economic growth.

The Four Asian Tigers , in particular, referring to Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, experienced rapid industrialization and economic development led by export-driven economies, low taxes, and free trade. Some have also theorized that the Confucian work ethic present in these countries complemented the process of industrialization.

Each country also developed a distinct specialty and maintains a competitive advantage in that area. South Korea, for example, is known for its manufacturing of information technology while Hong Kong is a leading financial center. Much of the economic growth of the Asian Tigers as well as Japan has come from the export of value added goods. When countries export raw materials, their economic benefit is limited since those raw materials are often not inherently valuable. When these raw materials are made into something useful, however, value is added and the product can be sold for a higher profit.

Lumber is quite cheap, for example. When the lumber is made into a dining table, it has a much higher value. Many companies located in these countries have become household names in electronics, computing, and the auto industry. China has traditionally exported relatively low value added goods, but in , the Chinese government announced a shift to higher value added products like transportation technology and telecommunications.

The Strait of Malacca in particular is the main shipping channel between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean and a key transportation gateway see Figure 9. Singapore has the highest GDP per capita in the region, again owing to its key geographical position. No worries, in Japan you will get the same superstar feeling with treatment from everyone just because you come from that far away. Japan is the same? I relate and agree to everything you have said here Agness!

People should never look at China and SE Asia as being the same! Customs, culture, climate, people, scenery — everything is different! I love China and S E Asia — the similarity between both places, being, they give visitors an exciting and very unique time! I could only live in a big city, though; small towns are wonderful to visit, but I would get bored living there.

And by small town, I mean any place with less than 10 million people—it is China, after all…. We lived in Siem Reap for more than two months and we had enough but still miss the place a lot and have great memories. LOL :- I agree, China is a must see. Love your pictures. Unfortunately, we have not been to Gui Lin, but we will definitely go there! Another for the bucket list I guess….!

Yeah, China is definitely a country you should visit after SE Asia. Let us know if you need some help x. Wow, definitely shocking to see the street used for a trash can!

Thanks Jess. It is good to know that the tourist inflation is non existent in China as opposed to the South East Asia nations. I bet also there is less hustling in the markets with every seller trying to get you in their shops and negotiation is on the minimal.

I have travelled to Thailand a number of times, and there negotiating is the order of the day. It can be a bit dauting if you are shy. There is less hustling in China, but not only in the markets but everywhere. People are not that pushy. This is all so true! I was taken aback by all the friendliness and helpfulness even though sometimes it just made me more confused — nobody had prepared me for that :.

I know. Your email address will not be published. Skip to content. Spring in China. Looks like Japan scenery, huh? Chinese baozi. Quick Navigation. Chinese love drinking with you. The more you drink, the better. That was me and my friends celebrating Chinese New Year last year.

China can be very dirty. You can find trash everywhere. Chinese might not understand the language you talk to them in, but they do understand gestures. My first visit to Beijing. Teachers and students are urged to explore further the development and characteristics of East Asia explained in the works of Professor Holcombe.

What is "East Asia"? What role does a common writing system play in defining "East Asia"? How did East Asian civilization expand from its origins in what is now Central China? Is there regional variation within East Asia?

Within China itself? What is "Eurasia"? Women never adopted the full face veil, and the custom of taking more than one wife was limited to wealthy elites. Law codes based on Islam usually made adjustments to fit local customs. Pork was forbidden to Muslims, a significant development in areas like eastern Indonesia and the southern Philippines where it had long been a ritual food. A Muslim could often be recognized by a different dress style, like chest covering for women.

Male circumcision became an important rite of passage. Reforming tendencies gained strength in the early nineteenth century when a group known as the Wahhabis captured Mecca. The Wahhabis demanded a stricter observance of Islamic law. Although their appeal was limited in Southeast Asia, some people were attracted to Wahhabi styles of teaching. There was a growing feeling that greater observance of Islamic doctrine might help Muslims resist the growing power of Europeans.

Muslim leaders were often prominent in anti-colonial movements, especially in Indonesia. However, the influence of modernist Islamic thinking that developed in Egypt meant educated Muslims in Southeast Asia also began to think about reforming Islam as a way of answering the Western challenge. Europeans eventually colonized all Southeast Asia except for Thailand. After these countries gained their independence following World War II, the major question for politically active Muslims has concerned the relationship between Islam and the state.

In countries where Muslims are in a minority like Thailand and the Philippines this relationship is still causing tension. In Malaysia, Muslims are only around 55 percent of the population and there must be significant adjustments with the largest non-Muslim group, the Chinese. In Indonesia, Muslims are engaged in a continuing debate about different ways of observing the faith, and hether Islam should assume a greater role in government. Unsupported Browser Detected. Geography, Environment, and Cultural Zones Virtually all of Southeast Asia lies between the tropics, and so there are similarities in climate as well as plant and animal life throughout the region.

Lifestyle, Livelihood, and Subsistence A distinctive feature of Southeast Asia is its cultural diversity. Additional Background Reading.

Islamic Belief Made Visual. This essay looks at Islam's influence on the arts of Southeast Asia. Shahnama: The Book of Kings.

Learn about the political and social changes under Iran's Safavid Dynasty by examining the Book of Kings.

Religion in the Philippines. The Philippines boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia. Learn about its religious diversity and history. Islamic Calligraphy and the Illustrated Manuscript. The calligraphic tradition, which grew out of the demand for illuminated Qur'ans, became an important art form worldwide.

Islam in Southeast Asia.