[mr_overalls]

Apples to oranges. China, while communist, does not have a centrally-planned economy like the USSR had. They began a series of extensive economic reforms in 1978, leading to privatization of industries, opening to foreign investment, allowances for entrepreneurship, etc.

[unknown_apostle]

Also, I think when China began its gradual reform, the country quite simply already had hit rock bottom, coming out of the utter chaos of the cultural revolution. Chaos is different from a fragile order. You can't burn down ashes.

But we seem to have strayed off course somewhat.