There's too many angles to approach this general question, actually it is specific question, but once we start talking about it, then it goes everywhere. Then, as it happens, there were a couple of stories in the American news, that strikes directly at these topics.
"Self-correcting" probably is the proper term.
To suggest China is moving up in the world, that must be self-corrected immediately. They must value ideological purity, or whatever, heh.
The darn thing is that the original article was full of backhanded compliments as it were, but even that is not allowed! What nuts the media is. Still kind of funny. Almost Indian like.
In a Topsy-Turvy Pandemic World, China Offers Its Version of Freedom
Surveillance and censorship bolster Beijing’s uncompromising grip on power. But in the country’s cities and streets, people have resumed normal lives.
By Li Yuan | Jan. 4, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/business/china-covid19-freedom.html
New York Times accused of ‘shilling for communist China’ with glowing piece about freedoms amid coronavirus
Ben Shapiro asked, “Did the Chinese government write this?’
By Brian Flood | Faux News | January 5, 2021
https://www.foxnews.com/media/new-york-times-shilling-communist-china-freedoms-coronavirus