With regards to the above post. After the communist party took control in 1949 Mau and his premier Zhou Enlai both agreed the most important thing was stability. To that end a one party state with absolute power was essential and that's what China is today. No fissure however small will be allowed to open up for fear of the consequences. Bordered by 14 countries, most of whom could be described as leaning towards hostile and with little sense of national pride there's no chance of political reform on the horizon.