Many people on FT regard checking bags as a "kettle" thing, and I used to be in this camp myself, but as my travel career has matured, I've changed my position 180 degrees.

Following is why:
1. Checking my bag requires an additional 2 minutes of my time on departure
2. It's really easy to go through security, and walk to my gate (sometimes really far away; I'm looking at you SZX)
3. I don't have to even contemplate the idea of overhead bin space
4. This allows me to get on the plane after everyone else (I.e. no queuing in the jetway for me)
5. The wait on the arrival side is typically less than 5 minutes here in China, and I'm fine with this in the context of 7 hour door to door times
6. All of that having been said, I still carry my bag with me when I'm flying to airports in which a 20 minute wait is typical (we should make a list of these!)