In China, the Constitution defines the economic system as based on socialist public ownership, meaning the means of production are technically owned by the “whole people” and collective working groups, particularly through State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). However, this is described as a “socialist market economy” that includes private ownership and diverse forms of ownership. While the state controls key sectors through SOEs, the reality is a mix of state, private, and foreign ownership, often leading to debates on whether workers truly control production.

