China was never communist, but I know that this blows the minds of most people, so let's put that aside.

Anyway, Freemasons would do the opposite of install obedience, Freemasons are part of the Enlightement and their daily work includes the spread of knowledge.
That is also the reason why you can't be (officially) muslim or catholic and a freemason and freemasonry was/is forbidden in the "communistic" countries. The free spirit goes against dogmas.