I you think that the Chinese system is pure, unadultered communism, you're in for a surprise.

Those are excellent observations, I've worked in three different cities in China in periods between 2014-18, and I can say you're on point. Many of my Chinese coworkers came from no-longer-poor families from small rural towns, they were the first in their kin to finish university or post high school education, and moved to a Tier 1-2 city. The Chinese govt is authoritarian about politics and some civil rights, but VERY liberal about business. Hundreds of millions have left poverty to become middle class, and they're very ambitious.