The reason trade was open with china was lower labor costs.

> they will become a liberal democracy.

is just what they told the commoners. (ie you and i)

Exactly. But I'd also add that China surely performed a fair amount of 'lobbying' (cash in envelopes, disinterested campaign contributions, girls in hotel rooms) to facilitate understanding the benefits of Chinese manufacturing. I'm not anti China, but realistic. You use whatever arms at your disposal.