Why not? That’s the part I don’t get.
It seems obvious to every other country as far as I am aware. It wouldn’t make them look bad.
That’s the inevitable choice by Communist leaders when it’s apparent their policies don’t work. Back down or apply limitless force. Stalin, once he consolidated power within the party, could apply that force anywhere on anyone. Xi is in a similar position, but in even more minute and daily control of the Chinese by means of technology.