Economy, Government/Problems of East and SE Asia

SSWG5

The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary South Asia, Southeastern

Asia, and Eastern Asia.

e. Analyze the impact of population growth in the region on both the region and on other regions of the world including China, India, and Japan.

g. Describe the Pacific Rim and its cultural, political, and economic significance.

China/GovernmentCommunist, socialist state

Single party leadership

Premier of China—head of the gov’t

No freedom of speech, press, religion

China/EconomyChina has one of the

world’s largest economiesMajor trader to the U.S. and

rest of world

Rely on China for clothing, toys, machinery, fabrics, and fruits

Many large companies have moved their businesses and factories to ChinaEx: Volkswagen, Apple,

Microsoft, Nike

Reasons Why So Many Goods Are Made In China

China has large amounts of energy and mineral resources (1)World’s largest producer of

coal, lead, tin, and tungsten

Major producer of ducks, peanuts, rice, citrus fruits, tea, and sugarcane (2)Only 10% of land is fertile

Mainly east and southeast China

Reasons Why So Many Goods Are Made In China continued

Huge, cheap labor force (3)1.3 billion people

20% of world’s population

Billions of people worldwide to buy company’s products (4)Ex: cell phones, cars,

video games, CD’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuO3_yEV95UApple factory China 4:50 min

Defective Chinese Products

Over the last few years: Toothpaste with antifreeze

Dog food laced with rat poison & plastic chemicals

Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys decorated with toxic lead paint

Lead painted kitchen dishes & Christmas ornaments

3 Major Cities in China

1. Shanghai

Largest city in China

13 million people

Also China’s largest port

3 Major Cities in China continued2. Hong Kong:

Island off the SE coast of China

Once controlled by Britain1/3 size of Rhode Island

Holds 7 million peopleOne of world’s most

crowded places

Important banking & international trade center

3 Major Cities in China continued

3. Beijing:

Chinese for “Northern Capital”

2nd largest city

China’s capital

Over 2,700 years old

2008 Summer Olympics

China’s 7 Hazards to Development1. Child labor

2. Sweatshops

3. Massive pollution caused by factories, cars, sewage, and billions of people

4. Algae in water

5. Birth defects due to air pollution

TaiwanOne of Asia’s richest, most

industrialized countries

Exports computers, scientific instruments, & sports equipmentMajor trading partners are

U.S., Japan, and China

Government—democratic republicUnicameral legislature

Japan/GovernmentConstitutional monarchy

EmperorPower is limited,

ceremonial

Prime Minister—head of government

Diet—Japanese bicameral legislature

Japan/Economy

Country lacks many mineral & energy resources

Only 11% of Japan is fertile Able to supply 70% of country’s

food

Economic success based on strong work ethic Long hour work days & 6 day work

week

World leader in quality manufactured goods like cars, cameras, & electronics Honda, Toyota, Nintendo, Wii,

Motorola, Sony, Panasonic

Leader in robotics & biotechnology

Tokyo

Largest city in Japan

Location of Japanese government and Imperial Palace

Center of international banking and finance

North and South KoreaNorth Korea:Communist country with

command economy

Led by Kim Jong Un

Most people are poor and lack food

Has nuclear weapons

South KoreaConstitutional republic w/

market economy

Profit from shipbuilding, steel, automobiles, textiles, and electronics

Makes Hyundai, Samsung, and LG products

Capital is Seoul Largest city in S. Korea

Hosted 1988 Summer Olympics and 2002 FIFA World Cup

Chinese Toy Recallshttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3971111

Toy Recalls showing Sweatshopshttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3792205

Defective Colgate Toothpastehttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3277513

Child Exploitationhttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3266862

Pet Food Rat Poisonhttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2976255