There are different types of freedom and China's bet is that as long as they provide enough economic freedom the public will be ok with somewhat restricted social and political one.
The fact that she can't call Xi "Winnie the Pooh" on Douyin wasn't something that occurred to her, or maybe that she was aware of at all. I didn't ask. I don't like to get into these discussions when I'm in China.
Citizens of Palm Beach county cannot voice their opposition to how their tax dollars are being spent. They rightly want that money to be invested locally, instead the County uses it to invest $1B in Israeli bonds, something that people widely oppose.
They first said that it's a budget meeting and Israeli bonds are a "policy matter". Then they started arresting people for speaking out against it. Then they started arresting anyone who applauded.
"Free speech" -> I spit on American "free speech". It's the most insidious and dishonest thing. At least the CCP doesn't PRETEND to give people rights that they simply don't have.
the U.S allows "free speech" if it's inconsequential.