I think he came off as a bit of a jerk. And I think he isn’t giving Xi quite enough credit. But they aren’t wrong, and they aren’t defending Xi. Xi like trump is a culmination of a toxic culture of concentrated power and ignorance.
Tiananmen square happened in 89. Long before Xi came to power. China has practiced oppression on it’s own people for decades. Much like every country that took their cues from leninism. Many Chinese tolerated it because despite their leadership things were improving at large. Much like how Americans generally ignore the plight of the poor, minorities, and immigrants. As long as they have their bread and circuses.
Problem is China has been projecting their oppression for some time now under Xi and saber rattling like western powers often get a pass on. But decades of bad decisions are coming home to roost. And their growth is finally slowing. That’s more responsible for changes in attitude than anything Xi in particular has done.