How exactly do you deter a government that rolls tanks against its own citizens? I really don't think there's a democratic reform avenue here. People will deal with it, and largely accept it due to their anti-western attitudes. The Communist Party sees citizens as their subjects and will put them in line as need be. Its not a democracy.
Government is (usually) made of people. These people all want different things. This is as true as the Chinese government as it is of the US government.
A litany of complaints against the Chinese government can go on and on and on, but it's not (anymore) a single person dictatorship, nor is it an obvious kleptocracy despite robust corruption. Its claim of being a government for and by the people stands up to scrutiny, even if its methods and outcomes are oppressive and aren't democratic.
> rolls tanks against its own citizens
The same way you influence the other one that deploys military-grade/style equipment against its people[1], by attempting to influence members of that government.
