Michael Spencer is an expert. One of the greatest minds in asian economy, no doubt about it. His numbers can be true, our exports have grown, GDP is going good.
But note: In politics and Economy, numbers can tell lies and can be very deceptive.
An economist can see good numbers, but the rural and urban scenes could be different. Living conditions still has not changed. Poverty, unemployment, lack of healthcare and corruption are like rusty iron fences painted with gold.
These are things one Economy expert (who's based in Hong Kong not RP), will never get to enocunter and assess.