The fact is that it instituted a planned economy soon after the revolution's triumph in 1949. The kernel of a planned economy has persisted through all the struggles and turmoil since. A capitalist market economy is not planned, but is spontaneous, unpredictable, chaotic. The capitalist class everywhere is lyrical about the freedom of the market, about how it sets free prices and production. But this should not be taken as literally true.
Monopoly capitalism restricts capitalist trade and production.
For example, no country can sell its goods in the U.S. without abiding by restrictions imposed by the U.S. government. In fact, all capitalist governments put restrictions on so-called free trade. The U.S., Canada and Mexico are working hard on an agreement to establish a free trade zone at this late date in their historical development. However, before this law is enacted in the three countries, it will have many, many restrictions placed on it to suit the interests of the three contracting parties. Of course, no working class organization has had a say in any of this.