Two centuries ago Asia _(1)_more than a half of manufacturing production in the world economy. The subsequent  decline of Asia was_(2)_ to its integration with the world economy shaped by colonialism and driven by imperialism. In the half century since then, Asia has witnessed a _(3)_transformation in terms of economic progress of nations and living conditions of people. This _4_ was unequal across countries and between people. Indeed, Asia’s economic transformation in this short time span is almost _(5)_ in history. It is essential to _(6)_ the diversity of Asia. There were _ (7)_ differences between countries in geographical size, embedded histories, colonial legacies, nationalist movements, initial conditions, natural resource endowments, population size, income levels and political systems. The _(8)_ on markets and degree of openness in economies varied greatly _(9)_countries and over time. The politics too ranged _(10)_from authoritarian regimes or oligarchies to state capitalism and capitalism.