Here is the problem, and you'll forgive me for pointing out the error in your thinking, I'm sure. I don't think that shopping and the other mundane aspects of life can happen in China, they do happen! Further, fun stuff happens all the time too. Not all totalitarian states are equal, please stick to the topic, China... North Korea, for example, is clearly in a different league...let's stick to China, please.You seem to think that everyday life of going to the shopping mall etc represents what can happen under a totalitarian state. I pointed out what I have seen when the state is challenged.
I hope you can agree that while the chance of getting in trouble with the state might be greater in China than in Hong Kong, the chance of getting in trouble, for the average Chinese, is pretty small.I would agree the sample size is very small but the approach, subsequent reporting in the press and legal proceedings were so very different.
Me too.I would hope I never see such things again so I will let such a tiny sample size bias my view.
Things are not black and white. West = good and East = bad just isn't cutting it anymore!
If you cross the road when there's a red man flashing, you'll get fined.
If you kill someone in the USA you'll get the chair...
etc...