Oh they definitely ask the people in China. Government runs mass surveys of public opinion when deciding on the 5 year plans, and there’s also massive public participation in the government itself. China has 1.4 Billion citizens, and CPC has 90 million members. This comes out to 15.5 citizens to every party member. So, every person in China either personally knows a party member or related to a party member. That’s why the government in China enjoys mass public support and approval the likes of which is unseen anywhere in the west. It’s a government of the people and for the people.