We had a communist government in the 1950s?
China’s promising social reforms? That’s a new one. Their constitution is quite clear about the obligation of its citizens to “build socialism”.
And yes, China continues to promise social reforms "someday"... but the CCP is surviving primarily on the economic growth, which they actually have to limit to keep inflation in check. The much poorer and more rural western half of the country is not benefiting nearly as quickly as the more urban eastern half, and it leads to frequent friction, especially if/when prices rise. They have a very delicate balancing act, and they know it won't last forever, hence the other measures mentioned in the article... but again, it is the massive growth of the middle class that really keeps the peace in China.