The writer backed off when she realised her methods did not work. She acknowledged her daughter was happier with that. I think that gives her some redeeming qualities. Maybe not really a Dragon Mother after all?
One cultural difference about Chinese parents is that they might demand a lot (like this woman, whose methods I don't all agree with) but they also tend to give a lot. As a child, you are aware that your parents made a lot of sacrifices for you. It is ingrained in the culture for the parents to sacrifice and for the child to be grateful.
I know some of you looking at this through the lens of a western perspective will think this is akin to emotionally blackmailing or guiltripping a child.
But look at it in another way, my parents (Chinese) don't draw the same distinctions between their lives and their children's lives, in the same way my dh's parents (Londoners) draw between theirs and his/his siblings. I suppose in that sense, the western ideal is to foster independence. But the eastern ideal embraces familial obligations and mutual support.
One stark difference in education - there is hardly any idea that as from age 18, a Chinese child is expect to stand on their own 2 feet. All this talk about tuition fees, if it was in my time, you bet my parents would be thinking of mortgaging the house or doing anything to raise that money. The older generation routinely offers childcare to their grandchildren in the way no western parent would tolerate as an imposition on their own lives. One of my best friends in Singapore 'fosters' her child out to her mother during the week because she is so busy at work. It is also expected that the children will inherit and these is less of the view that retirement is for personal enjoyment. If anything, my mother would make sure we are all provided for even in her death.
So whilst you might not (for good reasons) agree with the methods, please also understand the cultural context with which they are entwined.