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The sophistication of East Asian exports

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  • Willem Thorbecke
  • Hao-Kai Pai

Abstract

Hausmann et al. found that countries that export more sophisticated products tend to subsequently grow more rapidly. We examine the sophistication of Asia's exports using Hausmann et al.'s and Kwan's measures. Japan remains the technology leader in Asia, but not in the world. In 2012, Japan's exports competed with those of South Korea and Taiwan and were complementary with those of China and ASEAN. Korea and Taiwan competed intensely with each other and less so with China and ASEAN. ASEAN countries competed extensively with each other. Given the high levels of competition and cooperation among East Asian countries, greater exchange rate stability in the region would reduce export volatility among competitors and facilitate trade among comrades.

Suggested Citation

  • Willem Thorbecke & Hao-Kai Pai, 2015. "The sophistication of East Asian exports," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 658-678, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rjapxx:v:20:y:2015:i:4:p:658-678
    DOI: 10.1080/13547860.2015.1045328
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    1. Lee , Jong-Wha & Wie, Dainn, 2013. "Technological Change, Skill Demand, and Wage Inequality in Indonesia," ADB Economics Working Paper Series 340, Asian Development Bank.
    2. C. H. Kwan, 2002. "The Rise of China and Asia's Flying-Geese Pattern of Economic Development: An Empirical Analysis Based on US Import Statistics," Discussion papers 02009, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    3. Hausmann, Ricardo & Rodrik, Dani, 2003. "Economic development as self-discovery," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 603-633, December.
    4. Hayakawa, Kazunobu & Kimura, Fukunari, 2009. "The effect of exchange rate volatility on international trade in East Asia," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 395-406, December.
    5. Jarreau, Joachim & Poncet, Sandra, 2012. "Export sophistication and economic growth: Evidence from China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 281-292.
    6. Ricardo Hausmann & Jason Hwang & Dani Rodrik, 2007. "What you export matters," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, March.
    7. Thorbecke, Willem & Lamberte, Mario & Komoto, Ginalyn, 2010. "Promoting Learning and Industrial Upgrading in ASEAN Countries," ADBI Working Papers 250, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    8. Lall, Sanjaya & Weiss, John & Zhang, Jinkang, 2006. "The "sophistication" of exports: A new trade measure," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 222-237, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thorbecke, Willem, 2014. "The contribution of the yen appreciation since 2007 to the Japanese economic debacle," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 1-15.
    2. Arenas,Guillermo Carlos & Majune,Socrates Kraido & Montfaucon,Angella Faith Lapukeni, 2022. "The Impacts of Lockdown Policies on International Trade in the Philippines," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9911, The World Bank.
    3. Wu, Feifei & Yang, Hongna & Gao, Bo & Gu, Yan, 2021. "Old, not yet rich? The impact of population aging on export upgrading in developing countries," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    4. Yaozhi Xu & Liling Xu, 2023. "The Convergence between Digital Industrialization and Industrial Digitalization and Export Technology Complexity: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Lihua Zhang & Tian Gan & Jiachen Fan, 2023. "Do industrial robots affect the labour market? Evidence from China," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 787-817, July.
    6. Dong Xuan Nguyen, 2016. "Trade liberalization and export sophistication in Vietnam," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(8), pages 1071-1089, November.

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