Well it keeps making the rounds.
All true to a point.
We know that NORINCO has flat top options for the QBZ95.
"the bullpup layout does not allow for a collapsing or folding buttstock". well only for a small amount of of Collapsing but generally accurate. there is no way to fold a bull with out a total redesign of the weapon
"In the event of a case or chamber failure," absolutely!
The Chinese Adopted the QBZ95 in a bit of a rush they wanted a propaganda piece when they took back Hong Kong. so the end product was rushed. They have refurbished it, adding with a Selector above the pistol grip, changing the chambering redesigning the scope mount, but still they have most of the same design issues.
Personally I think the QBZ95 could be saved but it would require a more extensive second round of redesign.
Takes them long enough to catch on, must be post-SHOT Show time dry season for gun news I think...
And subsequent discussion flooded with all the usual "China steals design again" BS...heh, never heard they said that at Croatia's VHS or Czech's CZ-805 and etc...bah, even if China managed to pioneer plasma battle rifle they'd dizz it all the same, now they'd claim Hollywood got there first!
Alright, ranting aside, thing is Chinese small arms development, until 2000s, has always been behind the curve by generations, more so if the project is of officially sanctioned type. Now, MIL-STD-1913 was codified in 1995, although the whole modular accessory system has been knocked around for some time before that, it's still a relatively novel idea when comes to integrate modularity of such degree into a gun design. So surprise when Chinese sets out to make QBZ-95, those ideas were not integrated into the design.
And when you consider for decades till 2010s, Chinese arms industry has a habit of incorporating quirky ideas to show "innovativeness", unlike private initiatives take the practical "tried and true" approach of things (which the result like CS-LR series, not stunning in performance, but at least it meet the par).
Now, couple with the accessory system rapidly matured during 2000s (thanks to US war in Iraq and Afghanistan, war once again drive innovation and progress, so to speak), something not even the Chinese MOD can put their heads into the sand any longer...of course, with a defence budget increased to 1.9% GDP, a lot more of work can now be done...
In any case, 95-1 is to address the quarks, now it has to be seen if that new rifle series really going to be full replacement of the QBZ-95-1 series. Hopefully, "intentional leak" of troop trial photos would be forthcoming in the coming months, then perhaps issuing to PLA HK garrison as its unofficial début...