This is the old dilemma of how to push radical change in a totalitarian country...iron fist or velvet glove? Beginning with Nixon and of course, Kissinger's leadership, we opened up to China thinking we could lead them to change for economic reasons. This hasn't worked on a massive scale...but there have been some changes -- primarily in that with limited capitalism the "communist" leaders have become wealthy...But, on the other hand, you get the satisfaction of knowing your product was produced by slave labor.
If I were planetary commander, I'd put a 1,000,000% tariff on imports from countries that are stupid enough to still call themselves communist, and who have concentration camps for religious minorities, and suppress free speech.
I am not sure if any countries fit that bill, but trade with them is immoral and should be effectively banned.
The Hong Kong situation ought to have convinced us that China is not changing...they are on their determined path of state control and nothing will deter that. They are convinced that this is the best way to "rule' a country so huge. How many generations now have been indoctrinated in this ideology?
Democracy is messy and cumbersome...but it is so preferable to anything else, short of Tidewater or myself being made a benevolent dictator...and I con't take the job as it would interfere with my afternoon nap.