China is doing a typical catch up development due to low base/high labour supply. USSR did this during Stalin's ruling, many others did so as well.
There is nothing unique or spectacular here. China is still a dirt poor country with GDP per capita at 15% of that of the US.
When they will become closer to developed nations' economic level, they'll need more sophisticated institutions, rule of law, or they would face a middle income trap.
For now they can grow by simply utilizing their large factors of production, even dictatorship can do this.
What has a occurred in China is an economic miracle that has never been seen in the history of human civilization. This does not mean china is perfect. Far from it.
It is very very inaccurate to label it as "nothing unique or spectacular."
It's refreshing. Yes, the CCP is not about evil - and the top comment nailed it: Ma was encouraging change that was too fast and potentially damaging.
China has being doing great, following a path that the West disapprove. Maybe the West should give the benefit of doubt, giving the track record of success in real world execution.