> In my experience, people in the United States often (incorrectly) short hand East Asia as Asia just like the people in the city of New York will often (correctly) short hand New York City as New York.

In my experience, the only demographic who complains about “Asia = east Asia” are people from South Asia, aka Indians/desis

It's an interesting evolution given that Asia as a term started out meaning just the westernmost tip of current-Asia, ie Western Anatolia.

Slight correction, people in NY refer to it as “The City” and people in NYC say the same, but specifically mean Manhattan.