Its a comparison to us/uk relations, that relates to the topic. It literally refers to the story as "this".

"But what about the US/UK!? They do it too!"

Combined with the fact that the Assange situation is not at all similar, I don't see it as relevant.

Different situation, same behaviour - the trampling of individuals for political gain.

BTW, even the historical example of Russian "and you lynch blacks" to the US in response to human-right criticism is relevant, as exemplified by the export of BLM as a general civil rights movement. The US/UK should still be able to criticise China, but without pretending to be a laudable moral example.

Ah then this is where our difference of opinion is. I can see now why you think it's relevant. For me, I always viewed the Russian responses to criticism as diversionary in nature, meant to just essentially say "Well you're not perfect either!". To me, that is just a diversionary tactic to disregard the subject at hand