In China, apps Chinese citizens want are available in app stores available there. Everywhere else, Android apps people want are solely available through Google's store. And the only reason China has a competitive Android market: Google doesn't operate there. In fact, China proves what's so bad about the Play Store: We can definitively see how much more freedom exists if Google is axed from the equation.
I don't think most of the Chinese app stores are good examples though. Too much piracy, too many repackaged apps and security nightmares.
On the contrary,China proves what's so bad without the Play Store and GCM.Android is a mess there.