In all of the "is China just capitalism painted red, or is it actually trying to achieve communism?" discussions, I'm not sure I've seen this point brought up: it's near-impossible for a committed communist to rise through the political ranks of a truly capitalist country, but that at least appears to be possible in China.

This doesn't settle the debate, but the ease with which leftists can gain real political power seems like an enormous difference between China and any country that's unarguably capitalist.