"Third world" is a nonsense term that gives a completely misleading picture of global wealth distribution and helps to perpetuate negative stereotypes [0]. China's PPP GDP per capita is almost exactly the global average and higher than many Eastern European countries. They are practically the definition of a middle-income country.

How would American companies react if their website suddenly started showing messages celebrating Eid al-Fitr for no apparent reason? Would you expect them to blithely laugh it off as harmless festive high-jinks?

[0] https://www.gapminder.org/videos/hans-rosling-ted-2006-debun...