If you see history as a change in "ideas" and not in a change in the material conditions of a people well then, yeah, your incorrect perspective of progress is what you will end up with.

China has surpassed the west in all aspects of material improvement to their citizens. They are leading the world into a green energy revolution. They have built more solar energy production in the last year than the entire rest of world has built in all of history.

Acting like China is "the same" today as it was 30-40 years ago is just absolutely ignoring material reality.

It's hard to have this conversation with someone that views the world through the "idea" of having freedoms. Instead of looking at things being part of society that actually cause one to have freedom. Things like, healthcare, shelter, affordable food, transportation, education, etc.

If you judge China's freedom by ones access to basic fundamental parts of a society that actually allow one to BE free. They have significantly more freedom than the average American does today.

Do I agree with their crackdowns on speech? No, especially now that they have solidified their position as a world superpower. I think it's an unnecessary hold over from a time when they were in danger of outside influence meant to destroy their system of governance.

Having said that, they ARE heading in the right direction when it comes to free speech. The west is currently heading in the wrong direction with speech. America and Britain are especially moving in the wrong direction as they opress anyone that criticizes, not just the countries leaders, but even the leaders of a foreign country like Israel.

You saying China is "the same" as it was 30-40 years ago. Is just cope.

I really wish the people in the west would learn from China's success. Unite in improving the material conditions of both nations and all nations. But for some reason there is just blind hostility towards a country that has done nothing but trade peacefully with us for most of its history.