The Chinese communists retain power by holding onto the political reins of power, including censoring Internet references to the Tiananmen massacre.
But they do not now attempt the broad sweep of social and economic control that Moscow attempted. Their civilizational mission is not as aggressive as the Soviet one. They do not pretend they are creating an alternative vision for society that will be an example to the rest of the world. They certainly want to undo what they see as the tragedy of the previous two centuries or so under imperial domination, and so wish to redraw their boundaries (hence the territorial disputes).
But they have no ambition for the rest of the world to emulate Chinese communist culture. Other countries are to welcome to have whatever lifestyle they want.
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Chinese communists want to make trade – not war. A visit to Chinese cities show they have (for the wealthy anyway) a taste for international consumer goods. Some of the best markets for European and American luxury goods are now in China.
A few Chinese may be interested in political freedom and having a say in how the country is governed. But most people cannot be bothered. They are concerned about corruption (alas not exclusively a Chinese problem) and they have no great love for their politicians.
But as long as the material standard of living continues to improve and there is a steady flow of consumer goods, most people are satisfied. As long as the political system delivers economic growth, they are not too fussed about the political system.
There is greater social liberty in China than there was behind the Iron Curtain. People are free to make money and spend it as they wish – providing they do not try to disrupt the political system.
This may not seem a particularly elevated view of humankind. But as Solzhenitsyn found, most people want consumer goods and entertainment and not be bothered with the complexities of politics, let alone revolution.
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