> people just assumed it MUST be true because the CCP MUST be evil. Whether or not assertions about Ma's whereabouts are true or false, the conclusion holds in

> people just assumed it MUST be true because the CCP MUST be evil. Whether or not assertions about Ma's whereabouts are true or false, the conclusion holds in either case. The predicate for westerners is largely, yes, the CCP is evil. But most aren't so reductionist as to say, that means {random bad thing} happened to Ma. Intentional or not, the phrasing reads like a defense of the CCP -- because regardless of the CCP's actions towards Ma, the CCP has historically gone through with some internationally questionable acts. Or that, because the CCP didn't do anything bad to Ma, the CCP isn't bad. It's the phrasing that's concerning, and it taints the interpretation of rest of the comment. That's how Westeners will read this.