You make a good point. But to me that makes it that much more important to punish the idiot who set about damaging a surviving example of their cultural heritage.
I agree that the vandal/thief was a bum and that the actions of Mao or the Chinese do not justify his actions.
Just pointing out that China’s own actions dilutes their claim of priceless cultural value. Unless China wants to man up and denounce Mao and bury his statues.