You may have a point. I’ve been to a fair number of countries and yes “freedom” is subjective. UK authorities forcibly removed a friend of mine from the country who had a valid visa, and Aussie cops think nothing of forcing a breathalyzer machine into your mouth without your consent. I find if I respect the rules I’m left alone, but that can be said about North Korea.
My thoughts are really around China. They are playing the long game and each non communist country that falls will make their job of word dominance easier.