Final answer:
China's transition from communism to capitalism differed from Russia by maintaining a one-party system and imposing Internet censorship, blending capitalist enterprise with government control, and establishing SEZs to foster economic growth with restrictions on freedoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transition from communism to capitalism has been markedly different in China compared to Russia. While the Soviet Union under Gorbachev began a process of liberalization with multiparty elections and economic reforms, China violently suppressed the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, which had a profound effect on other Eastern bloc countries. China's transition has been characterized by a shift towards a market-oriented economy while maintaining a one-party system and Internet censorship.
China's transition began with Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms, which blended aspects of communism with capitalist enterprises, enriching the government and several entrepreneurs. China introduced Special Economic Zones (SEZs), fostering rapid development in its manufacturing sector due to low labor costs, tax incentives, and an openness to foreign trade. However, this progress came with limitations on free speech and democratic practices.
China retained a stronger involvement in economic decisions compared to Russia, which faced more drastic political changes during its transition. Key takeaways of China's shift include its large population management through policies like the one-child-only policy, catering to ethnic minorities via autonomous regions, and adjusting to the global marketplace while preserving its unique political identity by controlling certain freedoms absent in typical capitalist societies.