Research studies (see Zheng, Wern, and You (2005) and Haltmaier and others (2007)) have generally found that China’s rise has been positive for regional growth, with China’s development as an export platform boosting the overall competitiveness of the region’s exports. 2  In addition to integration with the global economy, a number of other factors have also contributed to the East Asian growth miracle.
With regard to China, Brandt and Rawski (2008) highlight the importance of incremental reform focused on removing the most binding constraints on economic activity. Of course, reform is not independent of global integration, as the heightened international competition associated with opening an economy likely incentivizes increased reform.