If we include space telescopes, missions on and around other planets, space weather monitoring, solar exploration, and such NASA appears to be ahead.
Saying "progressing at a fast rate than NASA" is just word games since they start from such a lower level and doesn't reflect the reality on the ground.
EDIT: I provided the above as supporting evidence not to start an argument.
China recently deployed their own Space Station and Mars Rover, etc...
Political and ideological biases aside, it's pretty obvious which space program has more vitality in the current decade. Both sides certainly have novel tech, but what about the bigger trends?
Actually it is sad that they get so little attention in the west. Space exploration from anyone is really interesting stuff, and we should be rather agnostic with whom we follow.
But, it's also starting from farther behind. But, it's also starting with more modern technology. But, it's also working under a command economy.
And that's not including US private space companies. Read: SpaceX.