Neither China's economic model is unique, nor such growth happened for the first time in history, come out of myths. And China is yet to produce anything groundbreaking in defence R&D.
You are right Chinese model, isn't the first, but that doesn't mean it's not impressive, Jordan scores 35 a game for most of his career, doesn't mean it hasn't been done before, but it's still very impressive.
We have elements of it that is unique and certain results that are unmatched, for example train infrastructure, the only nation that should be able to replicate our HSR building speed probably won't do it, and etc etc.
This is what I always say to Indians, look at your own defense industry. You might take this as a attack or a comparison, it's not.
I'm simply saying look at how difficult building a Tejas, Kolkata, Kavari, Arjun, LCH, and more and all of that. Look at the incredible difficulties India faces, we face those same things, if not more, cause we are also embargoed.
Then tell me if you think China did anything groundbreaking.
BTW, we also have tested the Hypersonic vehicle three times, so that's pretty groundbreaking as we are neck to neck with the Americans, and I know we are good, but stealing work that doesn't exist seems to be out of our reach. Unless we built a time machine and went into the future and stolen their designs.
Just because it's not flashy doesn't mean it's not great.
BTW, on topic, there's just one step, become close to China and US economically.
Like my main man Mayweather said, practice, when you practice, the fight is easy.