China hasn’t been Communist since 1989.
They still call themselves “Socialist” but the economy is probably less regulated than most Western European countries. They are a surveillance state, though no worse than the UK, that is somewhat censorious. However, it’s tax structure is better than the US and it encourages wealth creation. In my experience the government there is no more intrusive in many ways than here. Though there are notable exceptions to statement in areas of religion and free speech.
Rather than “Communist” it’s more of an oligarchy-imperial-nationalistic-dictatorship. Socialist in name but more pragmatic in maintaining power. They realize that maintaining power means domestic tranquility and prosperity.
Nothing I’ve written here means it isn’t an paternalistic totalitarian state. In other words, a bigger, more aggressive version of Singapore.
That said, domestically speaking, most Chinese live fairly prosperous, happy lives.
Fascinating, in formative post. Thanks. In my traveling years,I couldn’t go to China but enjoyed Singapore.
I gathered that they are quite different from the days of Mao and the Red Guard. I am not a fan and I particularly dislike their influence in this country.