Asklemmy

Developing towards communism isn't something one country can do alone. Chiefly, imperialism must be overcome, which requires the US Empire to be dethroned. Ideally, that would be through socialist revolution, but even without one the US Empire is in decay. Communism must be a global system, you cannot have a fully collectivized network of production without, you know, making it global. Until then, the PRC needs to continue building up their productive forces, and build up to higher levels of socialism.

Wealth inequality isn't the primary issue. What's important is that public ownership is the principle aspect, and by and large development has been driven in the interests of the proletariat. From the massive poverty eradication programs to the steady and massive increases in real wages, society is run by and for the working class. It doesn't matter what the bourgeoisie wants, they don't have control of the state, or the critical or large industries. Wealth inequality has actually been declining as of late, actually, and will likely continue to decline as the PRC continues to develop.

China is already democratized and socialist, yes. I wrote a comment elsewhere on this thread, with resources at the end if you want to read further, right here.