Correct, sir: to avoid the censure of an authoritarian government, don't chose to give that government the opportunity to censure you. Dumb move, Hugos.
Well, I have learned that there was a bit of a problem avoiding it.
Worldcon is becoming the Olympics of sci-fi and fantasy fandom. It is a big thing, expensive to put on, and often only marginally financially solvent. It is getting harder and harder to get anyone to volunteer to host the con. Many years, bids run unopposed.
I'm told that, two years ago, the bid from China ran unopposed. Protesting holding the convention there was understandable, but nobody offered an alternative.