Communists stick together. It was Russia that exported communism to China and no matter how much bigger China becomes on the world stage, there is that history. Just as China exported this to North Korea with a more focused method of control/dictatorship.
As we type this, there is some poor soul in North Korea working in a prison camp. Some of them are even being born there if their mothers are there and pregnant. As a planet we have failed the citizens of North Korea among other nations that abuse human rights.
Democracy isn't easy, but it must always be aspired to and non-negotiable. Globalization has ensured that many serial abusers; in particular China, have been able to exploit and destroy so many souls. For this, history will judge us accordingly (if anyone cares in the future).