It is indeed often a matter of perception. Those who take offence are often relating to historical injustices, and quite understandably. Meanwhile the use of stereotyping and relying on negative perceptions of others with a "difference" is provocative through denigration. Perhaps your statement cautioning against Chinese investment may have been derogatory? Certainly referring to "Chainese", no doubt channeling the abhorrent Trumpisms, was offensive.
Its simple to blame another person for taking offence... its certainly harder to recognise our own faults than it is to blame someone else.
