Tiananmen was at least met with lasting arms embargo, both from the EU and US... I think the expectation for many (myself included) was that as living standard

Tiananmen was at least met with lasting arms embargo, both from the EU and US... I think the expectation for many (myself included) was that as living standards rose, the Chinese people would demand democratic reform (rule of law, justice for all, some say in decisions and leadership). China (or rather the ccp) has successfully avoided that so far. Now its flexing that power and people like me, who expected natural change, are forced to re-evaluate. mea culpa