I’d say if I was alive back then and had my same perspectives I probably would be way more critical too. I think while the Deng-era reforms wound up being a strategically valuable move achieving the goals they set out to, they also came with a lot of sacrifices and immiseration.

The good from Deng’s ideas: a NEP-style controlled capitalist sector for developing the productive forces while minimizing the breadth of their exploitation; IP deals with foreign capitalists to rapidly improve chinas technology; sanction avoidance and full integration with the world economy. These things would not have been clear benefits yet at the time and the sacrifices have only paid off in about the last ten years, but in big ways.

The bad from that era: overly zealous SEZs and lack of a leash for capitalists in many sectors leading to extreme exploitation for some; decollectivizing farms; dismantling of the “iron rice bowl” set of social welfare programs. I think frankly that Deng had rightist tendencies on social programs and agriculture and these were unnecessary moves in achieving the goals he was claiming to target. These blunders and missteps would also have immediate consequences and were undoubtedly negative from the perspective of a communist who cares for equity and social welfare, so it’s no wonder that few without inside perspective in China and faith in the reforms’ long term ambitions would view these as progressive and healthy policies of a socialist country.

At the time it would certainly have seemed bleak, especially backdropped by the illegal and unjust dissolution of the USSR and wider socialist collapse it triggered. I don’t think my takes would’ve been any less critical than Parenti’s. But today we have the benefit of seeing what paid off from that era.

Contemporary China certainly still garners some critiques from MLs, at least the ones I know. Some critiques I have:

• PRC have historically not had great foreign policy, and today they’re very hands off and neutral in their dealings. This is an improvement over their past policies, but the USSR set an example of supporting liberatory projects and helping others cast off their chains which China has never sought to emulate. I understand it’s for self preservation but I wish they’d show their solidarity in that way.
• Greater social programs are possible at this stage of development and would be invaluable towards quality of life, I.e. free education to the highest level of ability, guaranteed employment, free publicly owned housing, guaranteed monthly food allowance, etc.
• China has a way to go on certain social issues and policies surrounding them, specifically regarding feminism and LGBTQIA+ issues. They’re better than the West in some ways, worse in others, but the country as a whole is still developing in those areas and could use some work. I hope to see them take inspiration from the Cuban family code from 2022 which is the most progressive set of policies I’ve ever seen for women and GSRM
• I also oppose the market economy as a general structure: I think that state owned industries should operate on a more planned basis which can interact with the market but isn’t beholden to it, while a smaller controlled market exists for artisan industries and the current crop of private enterprise.
• Obviously controlled capitalist sectors exist there which come with exploitation; I oppose that but recognize it’s a sacrifice for development right now and this is acceptable for the time being.
• There is a lack of digital privacy, not as bad as say the USA but still not where I’d personally want it. This is less of a concern for me under a communist government but principally I want the option to remain anonymous or private in my digital life. I also dislike the lack of privacy VPNs and the ‘great firewall’. These complaints aren’t accounting for the greater political landscape which shaped those policies, which I do recognize, but I still am critical of the solutions.
• Too much car infrastructure. China has amazing public transit but many cities do have huge roads running through them. I wish to see a return of bike culture in Chinese cities, more emphasis on walking, and further expansion of public transportation.

While I have these critiques, it is clear to me that the CPC has begun winding down the special privileges they granted to capital and exercising greater public control of the economy again; they’ve rebuilt many social services; they’ve performed immense poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development. My analysis is that any rightist tilt has been counteracted and China is building a prosperous and progressive socialist society, and that the reform-era is their NEP moment. I believe they’ve contributed greatly to our understanding of Marxism, its flexibility, and its creative applications to different conditions and stages. Despite their present shortcomings, they give me hope that a better and more just world is still possible.

Apologies for the wall of text, I hope you find something of value in my thoughts here.