Chinese authorities thrive to preserve local culture rather than keep foreigners safe. This way values are maintained, habits are kept and shortcomings are ignored. So, the irony is that they don't look out for you but for themselves.

Moreover, local powers work hard to safeguard their harmonious societies that are many around the nation, since they do not want Ms. Lin from Guangdong to tell Mr. Chen from Sichuan that too much spicy food isn't good for you and that the standard Chinese isn't what Mr. Chen thinks it is. In such a manner, the government can tell its people that this is a big country with a lot of people and a long history. Interestingly enough, the controlling system appears the best to keep peace in localities where people may notice the huge gaps in all walks of life.

Conclusively, the mixing of locals with locals from other places and the combination of foreigners with Chinese does not bode well for the leadership's future which is why the tight regulations are in effect around. Whether there are better places than the prejudicial Chinese one isn't so easy to tell and it remains to be seen as we are killing our own free systems with inhumane attitudes.

I was never refused at any Chinese hotel when I lived over there, even cheaper ones. However, it is true that this "we want to protect foreigners" line is hogwash. The Chinese government wants to know where all Chinese are at all times. The same with foreigners in China. It is the same with marriage in China. Marriage is promoted in China become family units are easier to track and control. It has nothing to do with "morals" or "culture". Same in Vietnam. I notice that a demonstration AFL match between Port Adelaide and Gold Coast was held in Shanghai at the weekend. Incredibly, 1800 police and security personel were in attendance. Alcohol was also banned inside the stadium, although Aussies outside the stadium were drinking beer. I wonder why foreigners still want to live in shit countries like China and Vietnam. There are much better places in Asia.