That's, indeed, one possible explanation of Beijing's heavy foot to the floorboard. There is, alas, a less felicitous explanation. There you have it. China fears an anti-Communist uprising. America fears an interruption in trade with communist China.
China knows our dirtiest little secret.
Sure, our leaders like democracy. An athlete can be too addicted to drugs to play. An actor can be too addicted to drugs to act. And a democracy can be too addicted to money to stand up for democracy. Winston Churchill said appeasement of dictators is like throwing the alligator everything he wants in hopes he'll eat you last.