Tan Kin Lian - Perspectives China and the Asian Tigers
During the first four decades under communism, China did not make much economic progress.

During the next four decades, after China opened up its economy to the world, it developed by leaps and bounds.

The key difference is the inflow of foreign capital and technology. Without this inflow, China's development would be slow.

Other developing countries have also received inflow of foreign capital and technology. Some have made significant development, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. They are described as the Asian tigers.

In this respect, China's development followed that of the Asian tigers.

The other developing countries did not make similar progress. It could be due to culture. The countries that did not progress might have been distracted by corruption and politics.

China and the Asian tigers have governments that were largely authoritarian during its initial stage of development.

This is my observation. I may be wrong.

Tan Kin Lian

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I prefer an authoritarian government and to avoid party politics. This allows the government to control corruption, instill discipline, and focus on development. An authoritarian government may become corrupt, but if the leader is genuinely concerned for the people, it is better to give him the dominant power.

kinlian@gmail.com  22 Feb 2024  

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