I think I can count on one hand the amount of times those topics are brought up about China in good faith. Maybe you've seen it more often and seen the brigades more than me

My thing is, why is it always China lol. No one comes into these spaces with scorching hot takes about the LGBTQ rights in Laos or the economic systems of Cuba. It's a lot of CHINA CHINA CHINA, which between the current culture, and trying to deprogram baby leftists, it's really hard to spot good faith discussions/let them grow. And the thing that really sucks is every good China discussion is like 1 rogue comment away from name calling, it's hard to stay on track

Sure, there is a propaganda war brewing wherein a lot of Western media are pushing exaggerated narratives, Adrian Zenz is a theological dope of an academic, and the CIA has a vested interest in accelerating conflict, etc. but surely there’s got to be room to also address the shortcomings of China as well?

There you go. I have literally no influence on Chinese policy so offering any criticism, deserved or otherwise adds to the CIA propaganda war. If you don't think the CIA doesn't have people criticizing china from an "ultra-left" perspective just to dissuade people from offering critical support then you are a fool.

"Chinese capitalism" is not my problem as I live in the heart of the imperial hegemon, the U.S. The U.S hegemon murders, exploits, violates, plunders, and pillages countries on a far grander scale than Chinese international companies could. Chinese companies are not denying me healthcare, polluting my city, running roughshod over wetlands, and decreasing flooding prevention in my city. I literally do not have a vested interest in seeing China go down while the U.S is still standing.

It's because the vast majority of the criticisms of China and Xi Jinping are unsubstantiated horseshit, because condemning China when the US is increasingly antagonizing them is reinforcing imperialist propaganda, and because Reddit and every other damn website is constantly frothing at the mouth over how much they hate China, which a lot of us are sick of.

And what do you mean by "brigading"? That implies that it's being coordinated.

Tbh as an Asian person living in Asia, i dont care about your opinion on China if you are a westerner, it is irrelevant, regardless of which "side" you are on.