We're in the 21st century. I think the most obvious is their heavy-handed control of internet access in China.

It's not just about the Great Firewall, either. Whenever you connect event to a WiFi hotspot, you must input (and verify) your Chinese cellphone number. (Okay, you're thinking, so what? Maybe they just use it to spam you with ads) In China, the telecommunications industry is still state-controlled. There are only three telecom companies and they're all state run - China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. If you want to get a mobile plan, you must go through them. And guess what -- when you register your phone number, it has to be registered with your passport/ID information. I'm not in networking, so I wouldn't be able to explain how or how possible it is to track one's online activity to their identity in this way, but I could assume it's not difficult.

On the flipside though, I do think China has done a good job with their socialist economy structure. Going back to cellphones, for example, I never have a problem with cell signal. I see all sorts of ads when I return to the US about "widest network" or something along those lines; I never worry about that in China. Anywhere I go I always have full reception. Also, cellphone plans are cheap. I have unlimited data for the equivalent of US$14.49/mo. Also, all cellphones are sold unlocked, and you can get a smartphone for US$100 or cheaper.