Originally Posted by RBW

Question from a newbie: What should be my digital and phone strategy for China?

Background: I currently have a burner phone that I sometimes use for travel. It's an Android and unlocked. It does not use eSIMs. It has local service in Canada. I have used it in Europe and Asia before by getting a local SIM.

My background is that I have no military, government, or intelligence connections or value but I do not know if relatives have had US government connections or were merely low level government employees mopping the floor. I do have enough money (not super rich) that I am willing to spend some money for safety precautions in cities with more crime and would do things to reduce risks in China, such as false arrest or being in their files. The likelihood, in my opinion, is that false arrest is low but not zero. I have heard of the Two Canadian Michaels being arrested in China.

Possible strategies: all use my burner phone
strategy A: just get a local SIM in China, sign up for WeChat.
strategy B: get a local SIM in China, don't use the phone much. Remain isolated from email. Phone is mostly for emergency voice call use.
strategy C: use VPN
strategy D: download maps (does Google Maps chart out China?), do nothing online
strategy E: avoid China

I would like a digital profile in China as small as possible.