China is often described as a socialist market economy, which is a hybrid system that incorporates elements of both command and market economies. While the Chinese government maintains significant control over key sectors of the economy and strategic industries, it has also embraced market reforms since the late 1970s, allowing for private enterprise and foreign investment.
In a command economy, the government makes all decisions about production, allocation of resources, and pricing, while in a market economy, these decisions are largely made through the mechanisms of supply and demand. China fits more into the middle ground where the government plays a prominent role but also allows for market forces to operate within certain boundaries.
Overall, while China has characteristics of a command economy due to its extensive state control and planning, it does not fit the definition perfectly since it incorporates market-oriented reforms.