You obviously haven't been looking hard enough. Besides, does it really matter if it is a true British style pub or just a few beers at a BBQ? It is socialising over a few alcoholic beverages, it happens in different forms all over the world.

Actually I have. Probably been in China far longer than you have, and in many different places. Afraid we will just have to agree to disagree, nothing personal against you. Hong Kong and Macau are the only places where I have seen it done right, far better than those places in Guangzhou or Shenzhen. The reason is the management, HK and Macau are very international places, in comparison with the mainland. I personally know of one pub in HK, where the landlord is an Englishman. For me no, I actually prefer the shaokao places, much cheaper, and you get to meet some locals.