I would bet the reason it was mentioned was to make China sound technologically advanced. Similar to when they spread the lie about being a leader in green tech

I would bet the reason it was mentioned was to make China sound technologically advanced. Similar to when they spread the lie about being a leader in green technology around when the Olympics were hosted there. They established faux solar panels on street lights and then took them back down 2 years later. There's no reason to believe China about that detail or anything really.