Asia dominates global manufacturing and supply chains. Understanding these connections is essential for Asian market analysis.

Key Supply Chain Hubs

CountrySpecialization
ChinaAssembly, manufacturing, rare earths
TaiwanSemiconductors (TSMC)
South KoreaMemory chips, displays, batteries
JapanEquipment, precision components, materials
VietnamElectronics assembly (shifting from China)
IndiaIT services, pharmaceuticals
IndonesiaCommodities, nickel (EV batteries)

Apple Supply Chain Example

  • Design: Apple (US)
  • Chips: TSMC (Taiwan)
  • Memory: Samsung/SK Hynix (Korea)
  • Display: Samsung/LG (Korea)
  • Assembly: Foxconn/Hon Hai (Taiwan → China/India/Vietnam)
  • Battery: CATL (China)

China Plus One

Since 2018 trade tensions, companies are diversifying manufacturing from China to Vietnam, India, Indonesia. This is reshaping Asian investment flows and stock performance.