This was a very interesting read. I think my parents (Hong Kong immigrants to Canada) have experienced a similar thing. They keep telling me how tired they are of hearing U.S. bash China when China has arguably done a better job at curbing Covid-19 than the U.S. It's especially interesting that they're Hong Kongers, because most Hong Kongers in Hong Kong really really hate China. But since my family are minorities on this side of the Pacific, anti-China sentiment affects us differently as long as we look like Chinese people.

Having grown up in a Western country as a racial minority, I can confidently say that each community has its strengths and flaws and that there are some aspects that are just not worth comparing. In the U.S., individual freedom is key, so seeing Wuhan go into lockdown freaked out a lot of Americans. However, individual freedom is simply not exalted the same way in China. I don't think the Wuhanese really cared that much. This difference is simply a cultural one and a waste of energy to constantly criticize and compare.

There are some aspects of Chinese culture that Westerners can learn from. And vice versa. We have each grown up with doing things a certain way and sometimes trying it in another culture's "style" can be useful.

That being said, I do think there are certain things that black and white, good or evil. To be honest, as a queer person, I don't look too fondly on a nation where gay sex is illegal. In fact, my travelling policy is that I will not vacation in a place where LGBTQ+ activities are illegal. This isn't a race thing; I just have to draw the line somewhere and personally, this is MY line. As for Singapore's other practices that people have brought up, like corporal punishments or whatever, if your society largely approves of it, that's your thing.

Interested to hear your thoughts on this.