Is it possible to write a Chinese-inspired fantasy story that does not, in some way, investigate, interrogate, or explore the real China, and Chinese culture?

Like, if it doesn't - is the writer using China purely as ornamentation?

"I picked this culture cause I liked the hats!"

Like - there seem to be some cultures that are old enough or broad enough that they're deemed, often without discussion, to be "open hunting" for the public: Rome, the Italian Renaissance, the European Middle Ages, and so on.

However, these are most deemed as such by the West. The West is currently grappling with a history of colonization and racism. So Western critics and illuminaries are understandably hesitant about plundering other "exotic" nations for interesting baubles to shove in their stories

But China is huge, with a giant, giant history, and many different peoples. It is arguably far, far bigger and broader than the "open to the public" hunting grounds established above.

Like: I considered a story inspired by the Qing dynasty in its late era, which was burdened by massive corruption and institutional decay & vulnerabilities to other nations. Much like America is today.

However, I was interested in its parallels to the West. Not a Chinese story

But it would get thornier beyond that. All the odd little cultural choices that would relate back to the themes I wanted to explore in the story - readers would be wondering, "And what is he trying to say about China here?"

But I probably wouldn't be trying to say something about China! It would take years for me to feel established enough to say something about China. So in that case... why would I want this story to feel and look like China?

This is the trickiness of trying to expand the realm of fantasy beyond the "public hunting grounds" of the West. It takes nuance and comprehension, which are the direct opposite of flights of fancy and aesthetic appeal.

But if you're trying to do more than just sticking a POC protagonist in for the point of doing so, you're always somewhat obligated to engage with a larger conversation. Yet if you don't have something smart to say... why butt into this conversation?

The answer appears to be to imagine cultures reminiscent of other nations, but alien enough that few could directly claim them. But this is an escape hatch, a patch fix. And if not done carefully enough, it can come across as clumsy, thoughtless allegory.

feels pertinent https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/8/13/21362113/legend-of-korra-netflix-controversy-korra-vs-aang-korrasami

in this regard it makes sense that Dragon Prince immediately retreated into the far less fraught (but arguably far less interesting) world of traditional medieval fantasy.