I suspect that speaking frankly on the air about that topic would not threaten his family so much as it would threaten his career, which likely depends to a large extent on his relationship with a number of people in the Communist Party.
There's nothing in an honest answer to the question he was asked by which could serve Beijing either from a political or a business perspective.
Likewise a propaganda based answer would have gotten him nowhere in any thinking society. I do not know what sort of punishment could or would result for him from any fallout from a radio interview the in western media.
That sheepish 'no' however, made me think not of some machiavellian monster, but of a scared little boy. I really do wonder, just what is he afraid of?
with what data or experience do have to make this assertion?