I'm sympathetic to the view that China is a long term threat to Democracy. Their leadership is authoritarian and most people underestimate the monopoly that the CPC has over China's economy. China's leader is not quite, but very close to an absolute despot. He does not at this time have any credible opposition or balancing centers of power.

The only thing constraining Xi Xinping from going the route of Putin or Kim is his own self control. That's not a long term stable situation.

Having said all that, half-measures to contain China are pointless. We either should have free trade with China, or almost no trade with China. Our tech controls are highly porous. There is constant interchange in expertise and high tech goods. China is only about 5 to 10 years behind the West on any given technology that is commercially available. The only stuff they lag further behind on is stuff that is completely classified. And that stuff is a very small list of things.

Arguably, China is already exceeding America's capabilities in many next generation military technologies like drones and cyberwarfare.

The West has to make a decision ... either we go the free trade route and hope domestic competition takes down Xi Xinping ... or we withdraw completely from China and disengage as much as possible ... cold war style.