All I have to add is the phrase the people still 'inside' China speak to me when I call them.

I hear this from several people, in different parts of the country.

"It's bad. Really bad."

This refers to the attitude of the locals, the behaviour of the locals, how the locals treat foreigners, what they say about foreigners; and the general mood both socially, day to day, and economically.

Suspicion, draconian security, and a general dark mood pervades the country.