There's a geopolitical dimension to this question, because of one-party rule in China. If the regime were less oppressive, reactions would be different.
I doubt that assertion. Look to its neighbor India - a relatively much freer and open society, but greeted with sneery snarkiness on these fora.
until India can ensure basic sanitation infrastructure to their population, all talk of leadership in tech is superfluous.
That’s probably wrong. If India held tech leadership, it would generate more wealth for the nation, thus raising the standard of living for many.
People would also see a path to take to have a better life.