These countries have achieved impressive results in managing the COVID-19 crisis because they are industrialized nations. Their absolutely remarkable story can be a source of inspiration to others. On various fronts, these countries have a similar story to tell. With the onset of COVID-19, they were all able to control the epidemic with an entirely appropriate response.  The media – western in particular – were quick to explain that what helped these countries was the fact that they had adopted masks, that mask-wearing was part of the culture, that these countries are authoritarian in nature, etc. These explanations are mostly stereotypes. The reality is quite different. These four countries (the Special Administrative Region of China since 1997, in the case of Hong Kong) made history in the 1960s because they were the first to industrialize following what was called the industrial revolution in Europe at the end of the 18th century. This is also why they were designated Newly Indu...