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>China isn't pretending to be free.

What does a sentiment like this even mean?

Take a look at China's own propaganda, they very much celebrate their idea of what freedoms their citizens have.

Hell, if you talk to Chinese citizens, they don't seem to generally claim they aren't free. Even if the conversation happens in confidence where they aren't concerned about the government hearing their opinion.

"freedom" and "democracy" are two of the twelve "core socialist values" that are plastered almost anywhere you look in China.

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