The average Chinese who’s seen China progress by leaps and bounds continuously over the past 40 years probably wants this to keep up. So why change something that’s working?

It only sucks for the people who oppose the ruling party, the dissidents, which is true under any authoritarian government. But most people just go along, this is why such governments can exist. If you grew up barely able to afford a bike and now can afford to drive modern EVs through your modern city, it’s hard to argue the appeal of having it even better.

that is true. the chinese also value community and harmony over individuality. it is part of their culture to go along with the mainstream. it's one reason why china is able to progress so fast. because people are generally united in the countries goals. there is no opposition just for the sake of opposition. opposition would have to have a very good reason, and even then the preference is to not rattle things up. even at the family level. i have experienced that myself.

but i also believe that a revolt is china's greatest fear. not for the sake of the leadership, but for the sake of the country as a whole. because a serious revolt in china would be massive and have many casualties.

this is why china blocks outside information. the less educated older generations lack the knowledge needed to separate misinformation and fake news from the truth. which incidentally i believe is also in part the motivation for the ban in nepal.

the difference is that china was able to block access to the outside before it got hold in the population. it also was able to build alternatives, and china is large enough for the outside not to matter.

china is exploring opening up. there was talk if reducing blocks in the shanghai area. and i believe it will happen as the education of people rises and outside influences become less of a threat.