This actually reminds me of the conversations I had with a Cuban classmate. He explained it as a combination of propaganda and “elders” memory. His grandmother

This actually reminds me of the conversations I had with a Cuban classmate. He explained it as a combination of propaganda and “elders” memory. His grandmother would always tell him about how bad it was before Castro and Communism and the government would be spreading propaganda about how great things were; it’s a potent combination. I expect China is in the same place, things are so much better for the average Chinese citizen and the propaganda machine is running full tilt.