Yes, I read it and learned a lot. Apparently Russia lacked a diaspora. I never knew that! In fact, I am burning all my Vladimir Nabakov books on the grounds that he is a liar.
Also the Chinese wanted reform and the Russians did not. Gorbachev somehow conned the entire Soviet Union to end communism when everyone wanted it to keep going.
Like they said in the article "A few Russians had emigrated to the United States and Israel.", though the number is probably much smaller in comparison.
I think it's saying that Russia being more urbanized, the Russians' lives were much better off to begin with, so there wasn't as much momentum for change. If you compare per capita GDP, Russia is still about three times as much as China, the margin was even bigger back then.
The reform happened mostly in the countryside, while in cities the workers under the protective umbrella of state-owned enterprises were much more resistant to change. It just happened that Russia had a larger portion city workers than China.
Yes, he mentions a few Russians emigrated, which is an incredible understatement. And he does not reconcile this fact with his theory which assumes exactly the opposite.
Regarding your other argument you are giving the writer too much credit and putting words in his mouth. He does not mention comparative GDP.
