The Art of Gymnastics blog posted a thoughtful overview on the perception of Chinese gymnasts in Western media and general gymnastics fans.
Coaches and judges love Chinese gymnastics, especially Bars & Beam. Every insider I know feels China will be amongst the top 3 teams in Rio.
But I would agree that popular western media a bit unbalanced in coverage.
Read the post for yourself – Body Bias and Micro-Aggression: A Case Study in Lopsided Scrutiny
Shang Chunsong is used as an example. Shang is listed at 1.40m (4 ft 7 in), 35kg (77 lb).
There are many Chinese women this small. Shang’s not underage.
If Bela Karolyi or anyone else hints that she’s underage, he should be called out.
That said, China has deliberately cheated in the past. I’m more suspicious of that nation than others. (I’m more suspicious of Russia as a nation than others when it comes to doping, as well.)
Thanks Cordelia.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 
There is no bias. This is a country and program have that have committed fraud in the past, and have lost Olympic medals because of it. There are a myriad of former Chinese World and Olympic team members in all shapes and sizes. The Chinese Federation decided to focus on tiny, skinny, in some cases anorexic girls, probably thinking they could handle difficulty better. Any problems in power, consistency and injury they are currently having are their of their own making.
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