You are in fact correct.
However, you are insisting on backing your arguments with facts no longer true. The fact the Pearl River Delta has so dramatically changed is an indication that there is pretty dramatic change in the government. In addition to the young people adopting western ways on a massive scale and business escaping the mainland there is pretty significant change in academics.
The largest Initial Public Offering in the history of the New York Stock Exchange was for Ali Baba, a chinese business to business Ebay like trading site. That offering is the work of Chicaps..... not Chicoms.
I see from time various articles by Chinese academics on subjects of interest to the world. Often they are in joint venture with american or European scientists. This is especially true of paleontology where outsiders are allowed in to china to study the fossils.
Regarding Russia...... They had a chance and blew it. They were given both money and opportunity. They stole the money and failed to implement the opportunity. Russia could be China but lacked the native business and industrial initiative to go forward like China.
Lastly, nowhere did I state China has progressed to the level of American or European or even Asian democracies. China remains Communist. What can’t be denied is the fact that there has been tremendous change. How it will turn out in 50 or a hundred yeas we do not know. I suspect the young leaders are walking the tight rope between the old, living, communists and the young demanding change.
I think if there is one thing from history I gather, it is this: the USA is perpetually underestimated or our demise is being predicted by wishful (often envious) onlookers. Even when at its peak of power on paper.
The principles we claim to fight for and struggle to live up to — are risky and almost seem destined to fail! “Freedom” is risky and fundamentally against the tendencies of “empires” before us and “kingdoms” ...
This country, when one visits, seems modest and simplistic by comparison to the grand displays of other great powers...And yet that is what keeps people so captivated and confounded. How the “common people” often from the most unassuming places and towns - truly are the source of this country’s strength, success, and power.
Proudly on the Trump train, on “team” USA at this juncture in history.