China and Japan in East Asian Economic Development

In 1960, the GDP of ASEAN 3 was approximately 40 of US GDP, with Japan contributing more than 80 of total East Asian GDP, followed by China (Mainland only), with not quite 8. In 2000, the GDP of ASEAN 3 was approximately 75 of US GDP, with Japan contributing more than 60 of total GDP, followed by China (Mainland only), which contributed somewhat more than 15. Japan also leads in GDP per capita among East Asian economies, with almost US50,000 in 2000 (at market exchange rates), followed by Singapore at US30,000. In contrast, Mainland Chinas GDP per capita was less than US900 in 2000 (Lau, 2003, p.4)Even though politically and socially two entirely different countries, (China is a communist country whereas Japan is a democratic country), China and Japan play a pivotal role in controlling