[ardy42]

> but I suspect OP is another ethno-nationalist that perceives grievance against them for any and all actions.

It might be more subtle than that. I know some Chinese nationals who report that their culture is to defend the in-group against criticisms in front of an out-group even if they themselves think the criticisms are true. To not do so is a kind of betrayal. This applies to groups as small as a family up to the whole country.

For instance, that cultural attitude were at least part of the fuel for this controversy: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-40013486

It does make it difficult to have open conversations about many topics until you're pretty close.