The Chinese could be silent or lying and the media could be inaccurate. But that is where intelligence comes into play. Like HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT, cyber, and the list goes on to really obtain a valid assessment. Someone already stated you can't trust the Chinese media or their government. They copy the Russian state media playbook almost as well as the Iranians.
If there is an increase of people with dual citizenship trying to get the hell out of China. Would be another indicator of an issue. Why? Because they are on the ground there and might be seeing a different story than what is being portrayed on tv. Just my take.