

I think the difference is in the breadth of control they can exert. US buying 10% stake in Intel, bailing out auto manufacturers, giving tax incentives to expedite select industries, etc… are very similar to Chinese state control, but not identical.
Fair assessment that’s it’s not a true communism, but it mimics the aftermath of a failed communism which is seen over and over, hence the reference.
Get yourself the cheapest n150 box you can, the 4 port versions are good im case you decise to upgade and convert it to a fw later. Get a 4tb 2.5 ssd if you afford it and a chewp dual or more jbod external for safe backups.
Every year upgrade and stick to proxmox and opnsnese untill/unless you have reason otherwise.