> China has never claimed to _be_ socialist. It claimed to be a People's
> Republic oriented to socialism.
Here's a clip from China's current constiution (adopted in 82):
"After the founding of the People's Republic, the transition of Chinese society from a new- democratic to a socialist society was effected step by step. The socialist transformation of the private ownership of the means of production was completed, the system of exploitation of man by man eliminated and the socialist system established."
from: http://english.people.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html
> Better to "take a chance" on the Chinese Communists than the U.S. "left"
> liberals, especially the anti-communists here, in assessing the best long
> term interests of the Chinese working masses.
Into the 'false dilemma' bin you go.
Cheers,
Jonathan