Contrary to popular belief, the CCP is not ruled by a single paramount leader anymore, and not everyone shares the same vision or benefit from the same policies. There are forces pulling the government to different directions, just like different special interest groups shape US policies.

If a small group of people, especially the newly minted tech and industrial elites (as opposed to traditional military and party elites), learnt the more western way of influencing public opinions, they will use it as a competitive advantage over their political competitions.