Not sure about Australia "discriminating" against immigrants. The "white Australia policy" is long gone and Australia has been overly generous and welcoming to migrants since them IMO.

I think people should have freedom of movement and stay in whatever hotel they want and that includes Western ex-pats living in Asia. However there are some things ex-pats in China can't change. A foreign teacher can do something about a crappy school they are working at by having the school blacklisted in the community so the school can't find new teachers and students.

In regard to the problem Caring is taking about there is nothing he can do. He can't remove the Chinese government and change the law. I agree that Caring having to pay extra, possibly a lot extra to stay in a hotel is discrimination by government policy.

However, yes, it is stupid to compare it to apartheid. I agree with you that Caring can leave China whenever he likes. Nobody put a gun to his head. I didn't like China anymore so I left. I know many more ex-pats who are doing so. White men who marry Chinese women need to be aware of all the problems that can arise.

So, yes, if you are really not happy somewhere it's better to leave. I feel that Caring and also the Taffy poster have finally had it with China.