This is a authoritative government thing. Not a Chinese thing.
The western government does the same shit. Their reach just isn't as far as the Chinese government in its ability to completely lock down the media. Instead the US government typically does what they call "a cover up".
Both governments launch massive amounts of propaganda, both would take a loong time to admit thier mistakes if given enough pressure. The only difference is, in china no one is allowed to deliver pressure.
Let me ask this - when was the last time the Chinese government apologized for something?
It's pretty obvious that in countries like China the idea that the government can "never be wrong, never show weakness" is different than the Western approach.