I've said it elsewhere in this thread, but unless you want to audit the whole network stack, maintain that software going forward, and somehow totally disconnect the name Lemmy from the people who wrote the software, you're empowering them by using it.

And while China does not support free speech within their country, sure they would be ecstatic to have the opportunity to own run or maintain or have people friendly to them owning running and maintaining software that other countries use to have speech within themselves.

It would be very foolish to give them that ability.