Branding nationalizing companies as “citizens control” is quite the spin. Chinese citizens surely own the means of production, right?

I suppose that depends on whether said country is a democracy where citizens control the government or a dictatorship where they do not.

Nationalizing a company isn't communism and isn't intended to resemble it.

How is that not common/collective control of the means of production?

What would common or collective control mean? If everyone held "control" in common, it wouldn't be possible to do anything.

It is possible to nationalize a company, though. For example, Saudi Aramco is owned by the state.

How is that not common/collective control of the means of production?

1. A central government taking ownership of a company in lieu of everyone owning a share. 2. It is.

Indeed, it’s actually a horrific non-communist pro-capitalist version that leaves citizens much worse off - see “bailout socialism for the rich and rugged individualism for masses”.