People cognizant in the 1960's, 70's, 80's, or 90's, what was the perception of China?

90's teenager: Corrupt government that was a maker of cheap goods and claimed to be first in everything ever and had the most bestest smartest refined cultureal history compared to us heathen backwater westerners.

THere's reasons I struggle with looking past my own mindset whenever anything china related in the sciences pop up, as my first thought is 'is there independant verfication there to prevent it from just being government propaganda bullshit?'

....kinda like i'm having to start doing with any 'official' anything here stateside now.