From my (limited) understanding, China is both as bad and not as bad, depending on what is being compared and who you ask. You kind of have to read between the lines of pro and anti Chinese propaganda to find the nuggets of truth. But absolutely a lot of the criticisms that get levelled against China are 100% valid against western countries too. Like I can’t help but roll my eyes when I read about some US official blabbing about Chinese spying when the US has face-tracking Flock cameras on nearly every street corner, intersection, park, pathway, etc.