China is able to lead in almost all the human development indicators since the establishment of infrastructure in the areas of education and health, land reforms, long existence of decentralised planning and existence of small enterprises which can be easily regulated.
Even before the reforms, basic health services were provided in villages and food was equitably distributed through the commune system.
Each reform was implemented on a small scale initially and then spread out on a larger scale. Laws and policies, such as the one-child norm among others were strictly enforced.