From the 1960s onwards Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore followed similar patterns of development. The development process was supposed to have been started by import substitution. Taxes were placed on imports to discourage their purpose and hence allowing their own primary industry to flourish. However, instead they industrialised and developed aiming exports at highly industrialised nations of Europe and North America. All of the countries also had non-democratic political systems, meaning they could drive through plans easily. They also all pursued education as a way of ensuring a labour force, as all students were required to attend primary and secondary school. They further invested in universities and making foreign universities accessible to their own students. Trade unions were also discouraged, and rather reaffirmed job security. The government also offered security of tenure to land owners, encouraging people to invest in their land.
All of the tigers had a Chinese influence:
South Korea: 65% Chinese
Singapore: 75% Chinese
Hong Kong: 95% Chinese
Taiwan: 98% Chinese