This is absolutely not innocuous. China has seen many regimes fail over time. When a regime becomes corrupt and unfit to rule they are labeled as "bad men and

This is absolutely not innocuous. China has seen many regimes fail over time. When a regime becomes corrupt and unfit to rule they are labeled as "bad men and bandits". Saying "Communist Bandit" indirectly through cultural reference characterizes Communists as unfit to rule and set to fall from power. Of course conversation and real speech has great value, but we are talking about an authoritarian regime experiencing a bout of paranoia.