The Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution were important periods. Mongolia is a buffer state, North Korea is Communist, and both are isolated. Mongolia is landlocked and sparsely populated, whereas North Korea and its numerous problems remain apart from the world economy. In China, population growth was slowed in order to allow standards of living to be improved. Economically significant communities of Chinese people are found outside of China.
Communes give way to the household responsibility system.
Foreign investment and expertise contribute to continuing economic development. China is very strong in coal and hydroelectricity. Part of China since 1997, Hong Kong s trade, financial services, and manufacturing are a significant additions to China. Central control of the economy is also important in Mongolia and North Korea. Consistent with the numerous islands and long coastlines, this subregion has been influenced by China, Japan, and other external forces.