First our social network sites are not owned by the state, and the state does fear its power. As of this moment unless these companies do something completely crazy, they are pretty much autonomous, I'm not sure if you know, but Chinese government control is not what you think it is.
Chinese government does control the internet and spies too, US government does the same, China goes a step further, but with all social media, it's no good.
For as much as the government blocks there are more out there. So it's the definition of a fool's errand.
Chinese can very easily access Western sites if they choose to, and many do. But most don't, because they don't read English, but most of all, they consider American sources as propaganda, same way as Americans consider Chinese sources propaganda. In a way they are both right.
The exact same event reported the same way, but in different tones can have different meanings. I'm sure you know.
China doesn't use war to threaten, some people do, as is true in Vietnam. The reason is simple, this conflict is a political one and needs a political solution not a military one. The one with America is a military one and as well as political and economical. So that's a bit different.