Oddly enough, since Tiananmen Chinese people have been quite content. The extreme progress that China made over the last few decades seems to keep people happy.

Although I am vary aware that they don’t really have options to be discontent.

The HK protests are pretty different in nature. HK faces many different problems from the mainland. Mainly due to a weak government leading to real estate problems etc.

Objectively speaking, China isn’t a hell hole to live or work in. Anyone who has been there knows that. They have questionable policy on Uighurs and Terrorism but the living situation isn’t bad. Example is like living in the US isn’t a hell hole because of questionable policy in Guantanamo or the Middle East.

People who have been to China are usually more aware of the misinformation and propaganda going on. You need to see both sides.