Yep, this is exactly it. It's not that networking is unique, is that such connection is often used to replace things like law, justice, or a simple queue.

In my own experience, where I went to kindergarten was an outcome of who my grandma knew. Similarly, when I was sick and needed to see a doctor, I had to know someone who knew someone...

Yes - it's similar in the west. But to say they're the same would be like saying 100M dash and marathon is the same sport.