2.1 Identify the Boundaries

East Asia encompasses a vast region, with China as its largest country. Neighboring China are Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan. Off China’s eastern coast lies the island of Taiwan, governed independently since shortly after World War II. On China’s southern coast is Hong Kong, a former British colony renowned for having one of the best ports in Asia. Under an agreement, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Nearby, to the west of Hong Kong, is Macau, a former Portuguese colony that has also been restored to Chinese control. In western China lies the autonomous region of Tibet, also known as Xizang. Tibet has been under Chinese Communist control since 1949, following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC Efforts by the Dalai Lama and others to secure Tibetan independence have been unsuccessful. Tibet’s integration into China has been due to significant migration of Chinese citizens into the region.

Japan became East Asia’s powerhouse, boasting a high standard of living and serving as an industrial and financial hub for the Pacific Rim. Coastal regions bordering the Pacific are emerging as leaders, including Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. These regions and Japan have experienced robust growth and are strong competitors in the global market. With these advancements, China’s vast labor force has propelled its economy to prominence worldwide. In contrast, North Korea remains under an authoritarian regime established after World War II.