
The provided text, an excerpt from an IT journalist's newsletter, outlines the rapid transformation of Southeast Asia's IT business landscape, largely driven by Chinese-style development and investment. The author highlights that many Southeast Asian nations are bypassing traditional financial infrastructure, like bank accounts and credit cards, and adopting mobile payment systems at an accelerated pace, mirroring China's recent economic evolution. This trend is fostering a "New Chinese Economic Sphere" where Chinese tech companies and investors are heavily involved in funding and providing technology to regional startups like Gojek, Grab, and various e-commerce platforms. The text also contrasts this adoption with Vietnam's unique situation, where the country actively attempts to build its own domestic tech industry while still studying and sometimes imitating successful Chinese business models.