This is changing. China are actively pursuing top scientists that have left the country and giving them large budgets on return with more freedom to spend as they see fit. Many people interesting in the science and opportunity to create will lap this up.

And not sure if you have been to China but outside pollution, they have very good living standards of you have the income, though obviously this is subjective to what is important to you. But say for example, go stand on the Bund in Shanghai. It feels like London meets NY in China.