This isn’t true any more. Independent political thoughts are punished, but inventions can be and are highly rewarded.
It’s no wonder the Deep State loves the Chinese system - it is our system, with a permanent ruling class untroubled by the prospect of being removed by deplorables. :)
Inventions are not always rewarded. In fact, any innovation that could potentially challenge the strong grip of the authority of the government are punished.
A system which required a stranglehold on political thought will eventually choke out all thought. China is the perfect example of this. They thought they could reform their economy without reforming their political system, and are now finding out they can’t. So they have chosen to shift back to their state run economy model because they will protect their political power at all costs.