Wholsome, I agree with much of your position. The only thing is I don't think anyone expected to grant their citizens total freedom but I do think we had expectations that if they said they were going to grant their people the right to protest, just one example, that they would. Instead they turned it into a farce, first insisting that a permit be attained to protest then denying approval of any permits!
I absolutely agree that China is not a place where democracy should be interested at break neck speed, if ever. There are just too many people who have been told for too long what to think, feel and do. It will end up like India, a giant mess! I do believe however that more should be done and can easily be done to look after the people who have arguably made that country great.