Btw, can't it do the two at the same time? Raise its global status while showing its deficiencies? I think it'll do both to different people.
Of course, we are talking general public here? Like majority type of thing? Hard to say....I say, in the end, China-haters will use it to fuel their hatred and nitpick at everything to express their hatred. China-lovers will use every good thing to glorify the image of China.
It's the opinions of the people who were/are in the middle that's most important.