To some extent, most likely, yes. But my perspective on the PRC is that the powers that be know that they will only remain in power for as long as they can provide, or rather, the illusion of them providing, a continuous increase in wealth. This in part would be why information is key in China. Assange had a very positive view of it when he said "I often say that censorship is always cause for celebration. It is always an opportunity, because it reveals fear of reform. It means that the power position is so weak that you have got to care about what people think." [1].
[1]: https://wikileaks.org/Transcript-Meeting-Assange-Schmidt#996