Why is China such an economic powerhouse?
为什么中国是这样一个经济强国
Balaji's answer touches various important social and natural reasons for China's massive economic power.
Balaji'的答案已经总结了大量的重要的，社会和原生的原因，为什么中国具有如此大量的经济实力。
I'll add the one he left out:
我新增一个他漏下的。
Strong centralized administration implementing well detailed 5 year plans which improve entire society, invigorate the economy and at the same time regulating the market economy to prevent it from engaging in casino scams like Wall Street did up until 2008. (Actually they are doing it again but that's another story).
强力的中央管理，来是实现具体描述的5年计划。5年计划旨在提高整个社会，振兴经济，同时规范市场经济来阻止 参与 赌博诈骗 像 华尔街 2008年之前做的那样。（实际上他们还是再次重复，但是这是另外一个故事）
This results in a country - if you could call 1.5 billion people and ~3000-5000 year history a 'country' - that is constantly getting stronger in infrastructure, educated population, social services, moving in a pre-arranged direction which was calculated to be optimal, whereas allowing the free market to make use of that well planned and organized development to generate maximum GDP.
Central planning creates powerhouses as long as you make sure the administration comes from competent sources. Chinese top officials come all the way from very small beginnings, starting with small time town mayor positions or similar community administrator positions, and constantly being vetted and reappointed as they get promoted. The incompetent or dangerous ones get eliminated along the way, with the most diligent and capable ones get to the top.
Confucianism.
They do include 'rising stars' which do not come from this background as well, to replenish their ranks, but these do not constitute a majority.
If you follow Robin Daverman's answers, you would get more details in this ages old mechanic.
