I’m assuming that notion is based on primarily proselytizing missionaries. Some of the Qing emperors flip flopped on allowing missionaries (foreigners) to do their evangelizing (so, if the “China persecutes Christians” is some anti-communist “commies oppressing freedom of religion!” angle then yes that’s a lie or at least an exaggeration, because China’s relationship with religions - in general and not just Christianity - has a ton of history. Also see other replies on the permitted Christian sects list in other comments regarding today’s PRC). In more recent/modern history (may fourth movement known for anti-imperialism etc) that missionary stuff is seen by some as a foothold for colonizers, but also during the Republican era missionaries were sometimes allowed in (think Pearl S Buck’s family) and were also faced with getting kicked out later as the tides changed.
I just finished my first (and likely only) playthrough of Horizon Forbidden West+DLC Burning Shores (I loved the previous game Horizon Zero Dawn).
I wasn’t prepared to get slapped in the face with sinophobia (the writing re: the Quen) but yeah it really soured my experience. I know it’s not like super overt but I understood the angle where it was coming from and what the writing was trying to communicate to its audience. Maybe I’ll find it funny in a few weeks (as many sinophobic tropes/accusations are more reflective of the west than they are of china;; “moral lessons” about finding the truth for yourself is much more applicable to westerners “forced” to reiterate antichina-isms than it is applicable to whatever the average westerner thinks about censorship and free speech in china) but right now I’m just unhappy.
At least I didn’t spend money on it this time around🏴☠️