>western media often suggests stuff is 'secret' in china, because they can't read chinese, and all those orientals are awfully mysterious.

this is stupid.

BBC Chinese (https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp) have many Chinese/people who can speak/read/write Chinese.

large Western Media have Chinese staffs just like any large Chinese Media in China, HK or Taiwan with people capable of speak/read/write English.