Reply #53: that's hardly a specific trait of China

[InvisibleBallots]

If regulation of religion was unique to China, if government was often of a religious nature in only China, then perhaps their repression of assembly - including assembly of a completely secular nature - would be best explained by their specific history. Obviously, the history of a society is important to its current policies, no one has claimed otherwise. In this case, their repression of assembly seems very much similar to the same repression of assembly in other Communist countries specifically, and totalitarian states in general.

As for the handy tar brush labelled Communism laying nearby - nothing I say could ruin the reputation of those governments that have called themselves communist even a tiny bit compared to their own actions.

"if you insist on taking offense where none is meant, there is really nothing to be done for you"

Actually, it would be very simple - just refrain from addressing me as "sir". It's polite to address people they way they wish to be addressed, and insisting on using terms they find offensive is rude.