Indeed. Many would adopt the view that outside powers are being hypocritical when it comes to human rights and other issues and that the intention is to prevent or slow the rise of China. They way they see it; despite attempts by the U.S. and its ''stooges' [some of which are Asian]; China will inevitably become a great power and is already well on its way there irrespective of what others think or do.
How we as outsiders perceive things can be profoundly different with how the Chinse perceive them.
They also remember the time when a weak China was exploited by outside powers. Take the Shanghai International Settlement. Even today decades later it's viewed with nostalgia by some but to the Chinese is a reminder of a time when outsiders took advantage and humiliated China for their own selfish imperialistic ends.
There have been a gradual change in the views of Chinese citizens w.r.t to democracy over the last 40 years, which I feel that outsiders, especially Western people do not seem to grasp and often project their own views. (I am a third generation overseas chinese with familial connections in the mainland)
During the 1980s, China was still recovering from the failures of the Cultural Revolution. With détente, gradual interactions with the outside world gave the citizens a glimpse of what they were missing. TNM 1989, IMO, was a reaction the uncertainty of the post-Mao situation, poor economic and social conditions and a belief that western styled, participatory democracy could be a solution to these problems. The takeaway for the Chinese leadership (rightly or wrongly) was the root cause of 1989 was largely economical. The other takeaway is the movement was largely lead by intellectuals (students) in an urban context and isn't a widespread movement.
This two takeaways are important because post TNM 1989, Chinese socio-economic development was driven with this two ideas in mind. It was not obvious under Deng (outright push to get wealthy first), Jiang (attempting to reinterprete Marxism with Chinese characteristics under the Three Represents), and Hu (harmonious society). But under Xi, his push for a xiaokang society (prosperity for all), and chinese dream would align directly with the two takeways of giving people their piece of bacon and a big idea (rise of china) as a powerful anchor for CCP's continued existence.
Mismanagement of the COVID situation is indeed a challenge, but I see it has largely transitory for now. It has not de-legitimised the CCP yet and it would only be an issue if this continues indefinitely (because there are only so many local officials that can take the blame for "poor local implementation").