The article mentions, China for the first part of 20th century, and before 1980s, isn't a stable country. Qing government is overthrown at 1911, which follows

The article mentions, China for the first part of 20th century, and before 1980s, isn't a stable country. Qing government is overthrown at 1911, which follows by a loose governance of various warlords, and KMT merely reins the power to control them. Before stuff can get better, the Japanese invasion happens, drags China into even bigger misery well into 40s. Tens of millions people died in WWII. After WWII, the Chinese Civil War happens immediately between KMT and CCP, with CCP ascending to power after 4 years. At this stage, China finally regains a strong central government as it usually does in its history. Unfortunately, Mao is an ideology fueled dictator, who knows nothing about economy development. So China missed the golden age of economy and technology development worldwide before 80s. When its leader finally comes to sense, the world is a far different place than they would want to admit, and China is way behind already and have so much to catch up. After which, it does something right about itself. Cheap affordable, mass education offered to its populace. Student loan was unheard of in China (not sure it is still case nowadays). And freedom to do business is offered to its citizens, and they are encouraged to get rich by the party. CCP would like to claim all the credits, but in reality it is mix of everything, it does something right, but more like catalyst that starts something even beyond its own imagination, driven by the desire of one billion people to seek a more abundant life. Yes, I think what really happens in China today is that it finally comes back at the world stage, not as a catch-up, but as a player, with its own pros and cons. Such coming back should be regarded as the normal of the world order, but I guess it will have to earn the status before the rejection from the post cold war, western liberal order is significantly weakened or defeated.