Isn't that just xenophobia?

No, I don't think so. Maybe I'm a bit paranoid but I tend to avoid software from Chinese companies because of all recent stories of a apps stealing/sending data that they don't necessarily need to function. But I suppose software from any country could do the same thing though...

And what is your position about hardware?

Most hardware we use here, though manufactured in China, is still wholly owned by American companies though.

I'm personally just as wary of Edge...

Only in the same vein as the more extreme example of avoiding flight itineraries with a layover in North Korea is.

There are two sides to any story and countries have different versions of reality that they believe in and promote. Nonetheless it's foolhardy to not notice which countries take an overly keen interest in people's communications and the "correctness" of their views... and jail those saying things they don't like.

If you're completely unfamiliar with the history of recent Chinese-western software collaborations, try googling "TOM-Skype"

Nope: it is Statephobia and States have no right to honor, just people eith individual bodies.

That seems like splitting hairs to me. Would you want people to reject your software just because of your nationality or that of your company? Probably not. So it seems to me that an implication of the golden rule is that we shouldn't do that.

Software written by Chinese people -- no problem.

Software written by persons and companies subject to the will of the Chinese government -- huge problem.

It's really no different than European countries not wanting to do business with US companies because of the NSA.

I would understand if people from another country did not use my software for fear of an NSA backdoor. It'd suck, but I would not think twice about their decision.

On my nationality? No.

On the jurisdiction in which I, or the company employing me, operates? That can well be legitimate. You're discriminating against the laws (or unwritten government policies) in that jurisdiction, not against people.

The fact that I do not like it does not change my opinion.

I think it's just that the investment firm who bought Opera also owns Qihoo 360, a notoriously sketchy “antivirus” (and I use the term loosely) company. There's probably nothing to worry about, given that Qihoo doesn't actually own Opera.

That said, I think a general lack of trust toward the PRC is understandable.

Only if you're Norwegian.

Saying something like that is only bad and wrong if it's about Israel.

I recently switched from Opera to Vivaldi and have been pretty happy with it.