[UIZealot]

Since you're revisiting this thread. I will try to clarify the issue.

No it is not. It's only assimilation if you aim to wipe out the local language and culture and replace them with your own.

So it's not assimilation in either case, Puerto Rico or Hong Kong, as the US did not attempt to eradicate Spanish, nor is China trying to eradicate Cantonese.

People who accuse China of assimilation are surely smart enough to know the difference. The thing is, they have already made up their minds, China is evil no matter what it does.