This idea - that democracy and freedom of thought/speech are Western values - is incredibly dangerous and needs to die.
Japan, Korea, Taiwan etc aren't Western countries.
Japan, Korea, Taiwan etc aren't Western countries.
Korea and Taiwan got their best economic growth stage when they are in an authoritarian stage. China is still in this stage.
Japan is an interesting story worths to study.
Besides these countries, there are many countries, such as many in Africa, doesn't become better after the democratic process.
The Chinese government has a point that "Let's concentrate and grow the economic first. After everybody has a much better economic status, we can consider other things". I think they did have a good point on it.