Part 15/16:

Furthermore, challenges in the real estate market, disrupted supply chains, and early retirements are deepening the crisis, threatening long-term stability. While state media continues to portray optimism, public sentiment is bleak, with many citizens perceiving a bleak economic future and increased hardship.

Conclusion: A Region at a Crossroads

The year 2025 is shaping up as a turning point for East Asia, with declining foreign investment, corporate withdrawals, and rising geopolitical tensions reshaping economic realities. Japan and Taiwan are forging closer ties in response to China’s assertiveness, while many Western and Asian firms reevaluate their presence in China.