"It is not just about fat cats evading their fair share of tax," said Eugene Chow, a principal at Chow King & Associates, a Hong Kong-based law firm that specializes in U.S. and international immigration. In addition, Asian countries offer a business climate and lifestyle that many find attractive: "America is no longer the Holy Grail."

There is little evidence that the central government plans to lift restrictions on lending to real-estate developers, for fear of reigniting the property bubble. That policy choice reduces the role banks can play in boosting the economy, and limits short-term growth.

Some of the region's carriers,–including Kartika Airlines and Sky Aviation of Indonesia, which both had representatives on the flight that crashed, had already ordered some of the Sukoi Superjets and some were considering ordering more. Those orders and others from Indonesia look to be on hold for now.

The summit unfolds as the coalition, after saying it has reversed the Taliban's momentum, is gradually transferring security responsibilities across the country to the Afghan troops.