[getmeoutofhere]

You cited various Asian countries, but literally every one of those countries paved the same path as China. Authoritarianism with protectionism (as allowed by the rules of WTO developing nations), followed by economic prosperity and democratization.

[khuey]

Xi Jinping has made it very clear that China is not going to follow the authoritarianism -> democratization part of that pipeline under his watch and other countries are reacting accordingly.

[viewbase]

Singapore is known for being an authoritarian nanny state and now we are calling them a "western liberal democracy" and taking credit for their success.

Also, Hong Kong never had democracy under British rule. All 28 Hong Kong governors were British residents who were picked by London and parachuted into their jobs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Hong_Kong