Taiwan - Why is the People's Republic of China defined as a communist country?

Why is the People's Republic of China defined as a communist country?

Please don't just say 'because the country is ruled by The Communist Party of China'. I'm looking for specifics. How does life in a 'communist' country such as China differ from life in non-communist countries?

Public Comments

Because the government operates in a communist manner. If we filter out all the general crap about communism being some evil demonic system, all it really amounts to (in practice) is government control of the economy. So rater than having numerous companies competing for control of the market, the government decides what is built, sold etc. Another common feature of communism is the fact that virtually everyone is guaranteed a job, house and stuff necessary to survive (although in practice people will cheat the system to get benefits for themselves like in cpatialist countries). If it worked, it would actually be a much better system than captialism. The problem is that people who control it almost invariably use the system to profit from it. So instead companies and the government screwing you over, it's just the government doing it.
Funny little justification of your question. You ask for the answer and then say you don't want to hear it. The answer to your question, by the way, is because it is ruled by the Communist party. What's the difference in living there? Hmmmmmmm.......let's see.........complete lack of freedom of speech, complete government control of every aspect of your life, a complete control on information in the country (don't believe me? the internet in China is very, VERY controlled; you can't get any information on it that is considered to be "questionable" by the government). Communism doesn't work because the government imposes all of these artificial controls on every facet of people's lives. Even in its "purest" form, (previous responder made me laugh), there will ALWAYS be a ruling class and a subjugated class. How is that better than a free market where the electorate (representing the people) determine what is best? Let's compare it to, say, the U.S. See any differences here? Just one or two (or a thousand), right?
I can hold a demonstration in a public place against the govt. That will get you killed there. We also don't manufacture things with lead paint to give to our children.
Because it is.
Simply by calling itself a republic doesn't necessarily make a country a democracy.Life in a country like China is controlled by a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life, such as freedom,will or thought of others.The regime is what one would call "totalitarian".
Because they have a one party government that collects all of the money made by its citizens and re-distributes it. It also doesn't allow its people to have very many possessions.
actually, the only answer is "because the country is ruled by the Communist party of China." you see, PRC is not really communism anymore, since the economic reform in the late 70's. a couple of problems listed in the answers are not political problems, but rather social problems. is the government forcing factories to make lead toys? no, in fact, what the factories did is illegal, according to Chinese laws. i guess one thing is, compare to US government, Chinese government is much more sensitive about public parade. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ the answer above this one, from TOM, is just foolish. try to research a little before make statements.
for all you Neanderthals that I gave a thumbs down too I want you to explain one thing. HOW CAN CHINA BE COMMUNIST WHEN THAT IS THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF CAPITALISM AND THAT CHINA HAS ARGUABLY THE MOST CAPITALISTIC ECONOMY IN THE WORLD WITH A FREE MARKET SYSTEM. Answer that all you bone headed cavemen. It's really simple, get out a dictionary. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhssh!! To answer your question, because the label communist incurs hate. If and when the Chinese decide to rename their party that is when the label communist will be dropped. Yet the party doesn't even say they are communist anymore, they say they are socialistic which is not even close to being accurate (look that up in the dictionary as well) I know, I live here and I see this country and economy working and people getting rich, opening up businesses and struggling like most Americans are to either reach that middle class dream, or stay in it or possibly become one of the top 33% that have the upper 10% of buying power. (source, http://www.cia.gov their world facts book -- look it up) One final issue, North Korea has the word Democratic in their name, does that make them democratic? If you say no, then you can't say China is Communist based on a name. Peace Jim .
It was a Communist State, it has since changed and is Communist in name only