https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

The idea of Chinese companies/universities/etc. being uncreative and over-reliant on imitation and industrial espionage is quite obviously a somewhat tired cliché. I'm certain it makes an appearance in almost every single front page comment threat on the Chinese economy of the last five years or so.

There might even be a kernel of truth. But, as others have pointed out, the same was said of Japan and Taiwan before. In such a situation, you should be wary of repeating such stereotypes if you don't have first-hand experience, which I doubt many of those regurgitating that trope have.