There are rules about operating in China and hot button topics to avoid discussing or opining on. It's been this way for decades. Turkey is the same way with certain issues (e.g., Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code).
China is a $5 billion dollar market for the NBA and the NBA really, really needs the Chinese market more than the Chinese market needs the NBA.
Kanter is a dumba**... He and others like him who make stupid Twitter posts really need STFU and play their sport because their personal politics impact the teams they play on as well as the leagues they represent as whole.
Kanter should also go back and read his contract with the team because there will come a time when he makes some other stupid comment that causes severe financial impact to the team and to the league and he'll find himself without a job.