[righttackle44]

He is well-mannered but I was worried. It is not a free society.

Many YouTuber ex-pats who live in China post videos in which they say they are living the good life--their jobs pay them enough that they can travel and drink and meet people.

They apparently do not understand that all of that can disappear in China in a flash. When I see these video posters, I have to believe that they in effect can become war hostages in a matter of hours. Sooner than that, they can be arrested with no rights and a representative of the American embassy as their only contact with America.

While I don't like to exploit raw emotions based simply on motion pictures, I have to believe the reality in China is closer to that portrayed in Gere's Red Corner than that shown in the newest Karate Kid.

[kearnyirish2]

I agree; individual rights are BS in Red China today. I’m surprised any Westerners even visit; I guess if forced to do so by an employer there is little choice. Besides the personal safety issue, there are now health-related problems that make it worse than living in Love Canal...

[Mr. Jeeves]

They apparently do not understand that all of that can disappear in China in a flash.

It can disappear in the USA in a flash, too.

Anger the wrong politically-connected individual and you are in big trouble in either country. Avoid politics and they won't really care about you one way or the other.

We do not live in a nation where we are free to speak and act as we please, either - regardless of the intent of the Founding Fathers.

[lodi90]

Many YouTuber ex-pats who live in China post videos in which they say they are living the good life—their jobs pay them enough that they can travel and drink and meet people.

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I’m seeing a huge increase in direct to consumer advertising from Chinese companies. They are “cutting out the middle man”, big time.