Your trip to China sounds like a fascinating mix of tension and adventure. It’s incredible how aware you had to be of your behavior and surroundings, especially with the constant reminders of strict regulations.
LOL, who would have guessed that you couldn't even mention the churches in the taxi? WOW, mind-blowing!!

The moment the souvenir vendor insisted on U.S. dollars despite the warning must have been nerve-wracking, but you handled it perfectly.

It’s also interesting that you sought deeper understanding through Howard Zinn’s work. The link on Wikipedia is helpful; thank you, Mia. It helps me understand the perspective on history.

I'm glad you avoided diplomatic mishaps; it sounds like your "Mission Impossible" was a success in more ways than one!