China is not a democratic country because its political system is characterized by the dominance of one party - the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP controls all aspects of government, including the judiciary, media, and military. There are several reasons why China is not a democratic country, which can be explained as follows:

Lack of free and fair elections
- Elections in China are not free and fair, as the CCP tightly controls the nomination and selection of candidates.
- The CCP also uses various tactics to suppress opposition parties and independent candidates.

Absence of political pluralism
- China's political system is dominated by the CCP, which leaves no room for political pluralism.
- The CCP has a monopoly on political power, and all other political parties are banned.

Limited freedom of expression and press
- Freedom of expression and press in China are heavily restricted, with strict censorship laws in place.
- The government controls all media outlets, and journalists who criticize the government can face severe consequences.

Lack of independent judiciary
- The judiciary in China is not independent, as it is controlled by the CCP.
- The CCP uses the judiciary as a tool to suppress political dissent and maintain its grip on power.

Restrictions on civil society
- Civil society organizations in China are heavily restricted, with many NGOs and advocacy groups banned or closely monitored by the government.
- The government also restricts the activities of trade unions, religious organizations, and other groups that could potentially challenge its authority.

Conclusion
In conclusion, China's political system is not democratic due to the absence of free and fair elections, political pluralism, limited freedom of expression and press, lack of independent judiciary, and restrictions on civil society. The CCP's dominance over all aspects of government and society means that China's citizens do not have the same democratic rights and freedoms as those in democratic countries.

The debate over democracy in China has been a major ideological battleground in Chinese politics since the 19th century. Currently, political scientists do not recognize China as a democracy. Instead they categorize China as an authoritarian state which has been characterized as a dictatorship.