Hmmmm. You might be facing a version/system issue, or need to update in order to unlock the "login via password" feature.

That having been said, QR scans are better than "login via password" because using the latter logs you out on your other devices (probably a programming oversight).

Not having phone service should be a non issue because if your computer can get online via wifi, your phone should also be able to.

However, if your problem is related to not being able to receive SMS verification on your phone (e.g. your Chinese sim doesn't work outside of China), the alternate verification methods are remarkably painful, to the extent that creating a new account --even with a Google voice number-- is the path of least resistance.