He didn't call current or recent China a third world country. A few years ago, when talking about his own family history he said it was one when his parents left it over 30 years ago. The truth is Chinese governments at the time pretty much said the same, and took great pride in the programs they implemented in the 1990s to grow the economy.

Even with China's backwards censors, I'm not sure his statement disqualifies him from ever being in a movie that opens in China. Especially if the current government can highlight the gains of the last generation as proof of just how "great" Chinese people have it today compared to prior generations. Politicians sometimes want to say something akin to "in living memory, this was a third world country!" - it makes gains seem bigger and problems seems smaller.

The situations sucks, as does the whole system surrounding movies and China, but I wouldn't close the door on a movie with Simu Liu ever opening in China.