It's not.

Most of you guys only know of communist china for the cultural revolution, great famine and this 8964 event.

But in reality, the late 70s to early 80s was a huge period of "democratic"movement. Or "realignment" is more accurate. Part of the follow up from end of cultural revolution.

There's democracy wall in campus, huge amount of debates on papers. all talking about how to go back to the core of Marxism, which includes reducing bureaucracy of ccp.