I am a layman (definitely not a historian) who went to American public education institutions, so yes, you'll have to forgive ignorance of Chinese history. American education on china can be summarized in 10 words: "Confucianism, open door, Boxer rebellion, Dowager empress, Mao, Tienanmen square." none of which is analyzed from a critical or philosophical perspective and none in any depth enough to cause an emotional reaction.

Ironically public education spent more time talking about how all media lies to their countries and how we need to critically think about news to avoid falling prey to propaganda.

While I definitely have skepticism, it was primarily applied to the American media apparatus. I was skeptic because I don't trust that my government and educational/media institutions would give me the full story and that they would definitely lie and exaggerate for personal gain. American media has lied before, so it's important to be skeptical about what people want you to believe.

Hong Kong made it clear that I was too skeptical of western media and that a much better explanation was that foreign propaganda was sowing doubt and lack of trust in my own country and institutions. Hong Kong made it very clear that China is run by a very evil party and my government and institutions probably aren't lying to me as much as my younger self thought.

So while you told me I was ignorant in an inflammatory way, it was the case that I was ignorant of Chinese history and seeing it unfold in real time has given new perspective. Having spent well over a year in various parts of Asia, I am now much less ignorant of Chinese history.