The long-winded and pretentious title would have been more accurate if instead of "China's civil-rights lawyers," it said "US-backed agitators." Because that is precisely who the Economist is writing about, a deep and extensive network built upon millions upon millions of dollars of funding by the US State Department for so-called "nongovernmental organizations" across China, many headquartered or primarily backed by organizations in Hong Kong (NED support for: China, Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang).
This network was in part exposed during Hong Kong's so-called "Umbrella Revolution," which failed spectacularly after the various US-backed NGOs leading it and their sponsors were exposed.
However, despite the dishonest means by which the Economist frames their article, the content itself if understood in the proper context is very informative. In fact, the content itself directly contradicts the title.
Comment: China and Russia have both been subject to attempts at regime change activities by U.S. backed 'activists'. Fortunately both governments are familiar with such tactics and have taken steps to protect their national interests.