I have make a comparison of Asia country with western country prior East Asia Summit.
Although Ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir express his displeasure over the present of Australia and New Zealand. Sin Chew Daily commented that a regional organisation should be able to be participate by country in the region regardless of race.
I also feel that by including Japan in Asia + 3 to balance the influence of China. American influence is there. It is not surprising that Japan suggest to include Australia and New Zealand.
Thus, my comparison would included country like Australia.
Japan - German of Asia
It is not uncommon people compare Japan with German. As both country are alliance in second world war and both country able to resurrect as economic power house after second world war.
German is most influence country in European Union whereas Japan still the largest economic entity in Asia despite it long recession.
However, in automobile industry. Toyota is like General Motor in US, Honda is like Ford in US and Nissan is like Daimler Chrysler in US. Thus, it automobile industry is like US in Asia.
Other than automobile industry. Japan is like German of Asia.
Korea- French in Asia
Korean people used to compare Japan and Korea with German and French. German and French are both influential non-English speaking country. Similarly, Japan and Korea has their own language but most Asia country have chinese resident, which speak chinese language.
Similarly, economic influence of Japan and Korea to Asia is like German and French influence on
European Union.
Singapore- UK and Swizerland in Asia
Singapore government used to benchmark themselves as Swizerland in Asia especially in term of per capita income. Singapore has overtake Swizerland in term of a lot of ranking like competitive ranking. It high cost of living is like Swizerland.
UK, is a centre of foreign US dollar call Euro Dollar Market. Singapore's is the centre of US Dollar in Asia, over take Hong Kong.Thus I feel Singapore is UK in Asia as well.
China- Potential US in Asia
China economic influence is undeniable. Even US also feel it threat in the world, not only in Asia.
Further, in term of language. People used to speak English like US and UK. Similarly, UK in Asia...Singapore also speak mandarin.
China able to become US in Asia also because it has Silicon Valley and Hollywood in Asia as well. (below)
Taiwan- Silicon Valley in Asia
Taiwan might mot independent from China. It call Silicon Valley of Asia for long time as they have strong hardware manufacturer like acre in PC. It strong in semiconductor as well.
Hong Kong- Hollywood in Asia
Although Hong Kong try very best to compete with Shanghai to become New York of China. Hong Kong is more likely to become Hollywood in Asia. Whereas Shanghai might become New York of China. Beijing is Washinton in China. Los Angeles, like Hong Kong also an important port for US.
Australia-Canada of Asia
Australia and Canada are two similar country that have rich resource, large territory with low population. Both country are migration target for Asean. Canada close proximity with US whereas Australia, might have to depend on China in future.
Thailand- Italy and Norway of Asia
Italy is alliance to German during second world war whereas Thailand allowed Japan to use it territory to attacked Malaysia. Thailand also never have war battle with Japan.
Italy however has it own brand of automobile industry, Fiat. Thailand, is like Belgium in term of automobile industry where do not have it own brand of vehicle but a centre of investment in automobile industry. Malaysia, however, has it own brand...Proton. Norway is a fisherman country. Thailand, like Norway export a lot of fish to neighboring country. Norway's telco Telenor, however, hs investment in Malaysia's Digi but not in Thailand.
Vietnam- Mexico in Asia
Mexico has close proximity to US, robust in Manufacturing industry. Vietnam close proximity with China and it robust in manufacturing industry make it a Mexico in Asia.
Update 30 Dec 2005: Vietnam's economy booms, but WTO entry stalled
Malaysia- Belgium, Sweden and Netherlands in Asia
Belgium is a headquarters of European Union as the country speak English, French, and German. German do not like to have EU meeting in French or UK. French also do not want to attend EU meeting in German or UK. But the three country willing to come to Belgium.
Malaysia, have three major race which make it a perfect Belgium of Asia. Belgium strong in Diamond trade. It also has string steel industry and automobile industry.
Netherlands have a lot of multinational jointly control with UK. Like Shell, ICI, Unilevel. Malaysia also have few company jointly control by Singaporean. Like F&N group. OCBC group. Hong Leong and Guoco group. IOI group and Golden Hope has acquired a few business from Unilevel group recently. Netherland has one electronic giant Philip. Malaysia's Hong Leong group has OYL.
ABB group jointly control by Swizerland and Sweden. As Singapore benchmark against Swizerland and UK. Malaysia as a neighbor should benchmark against Sweden and Netherlands.
Update: Sweden have communication giant Ericsson and Volvo car. Maybe Malaysia Proton should benchmark against Volvo by concentrate on heavy vehicle rather than passenger car.
Indonesia-Brazil of Asia
This is what I have stress previously From BRIC to ICIC.
Update: Global Voice Online
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Towards Single Asia Currency
