> Political priorities can change. As more and more Chinese become middle class or wealthy, they might view things differently from when they just hoped they had enough food for the week.

Lest you forget: China is controlled by the CCP and is not a democracy. It will not affect political priorities if "more Chinese become middle class or wealthy" and "view things differently." The Chinese political system does not answer to them, and will only throw them a bone if there's a major threat to stability.

You're echoing the 90s-era hope that free markets would bring political liberalization to China, but history has debunked that idea.