The west also heavily censors domestic media, the internet, academic discourse, and actively suppresses political dissent and protests, etc. The critical difference is that the west does this to protect capitalists against the working classes, while China does this to suppress capitalists and protect the socialist system. The class that controls the state uses it to oppress the others.
People criticize, institutions are censored. Protests also do happen infrequently. China is a pretty stable country overall because the system actually works.
The west also heavily censors domestic media, the internet, academic discourse, and actively suppresses political dissent and protests, etc. The critical difference is that the west does this to protect capitalists against the working classes, while China does this to suppress capitalists and protect the socialist system. The class that controls the state uses it to oppress the others.
Can you openly criticize the Chinese party in control? Can you protest without violent retribution?
People criticize, institutions are censored. Protests also do happen infrequently. China is a pretty stable country overall because the system actually works.
People can openly protest the party in control in a city center? They can openly access the world wide internet?
Yes, and yes. VPNs are accessible. Institutions trying to foment regime change are cracked down, simple protest is not generally.