It was the differences of Taiwan, however, that stuck out when financial crisis hit East Asia in late 1997.

ECONOMIST: Taiwan��s financial system

This week that optimism became harder to sustain, as it emerged that two of the country's biggest banks are facing serious problems in the aftermath of East Asia's financial crisis.

ECONOMIST: Malaysian banks

Across crisis-hit East Asia, the situation is similar: Financial renovation is in the works, but the tougher task of rebuilding a bombed-out corporate landscape is only beginning.

CNN: THE REAL WORK BEGINS

On the eve of South-East Asia's financial crisis of the late 1990s, the cartel met in Jakarta and agreed to increase output.

ECONOMIST: How OPEC's fear of $5 oil led to $50 oil