It finally dawned on me that they have all these belt-and-suspenders checks to keep staff in line. Same with all those repetitive checks boarding an aircraft.

The entry form belongs to the NIA which is part of the Ministry of Public Security. The customs declaration belongs to China Customs which is sits at the same level as the MPS, both governed directly by the State Council. Bureaucracies always love a turf war.

Just like with everything in hierarchical China, you have the frontline staff, then you have the checkers to keep them in line, then you have the checkers that keep the checkers in line, and then you have the checkers that keep the checkers that keep the checkers that keep the frontline staff in line. Above all you have the cameras watching (and black boxes recording) in case anything goes wrong.

That's how it works pretty much in every organization (to an extent). For transport, that's how it works everywhere (local subways and buses, national railway, airports, Chinese airlines, etc.).

You're comparing N. Korea with China not allowing group package tours to many western countries?

As if N,. Korea would allow US package tours.

Hard to embrace tourism now, I arrived SH on the 19th, Luv the original overwhelming hotel staffing service for lounge and meals.
But, after reading the 'Level 3' country warning notes on the STEP site from the embassy. I will be LOW profile. (Difficult when 6' 5' and blond hair !)

Just returned from my trip to China. The support for credit cards in Wechat and Alipay is definitely a good step. However, there are too many things that require local phone number, such as calling didi, accessing wifi. Also in Beijing, all the top attractions requires advanced reservation, for locals, it's relatively simple and can be done in Wechat but for foreigners it means making a phone reservation the day before, which is very inconvenient. I did not want to jump through the hoops just to visit Jingshan park.

Does Beihai Park also require advance reservations? I almost always choose it instead of Jingshan Park. While it lacks the amazing view of the Forbidden City, its lake and size more than make up for this.

Is it impossible for foreigners to use Wechat to reserve park admission because the mini-app only accepts Chinese IDs, or is it just difficult because it's Chinese language only?

Yes, and the following parks require reservation 颐和园、天坛公园、北海公园、中山公园、景山公园、香山公园、北京动物园、陶然亭公园、玉渊潭公园和国家植 物园 as well as Tianmen Square, there were checkpoints where they check your ID, but you can ride bike in front of the square as a work around.

Correct, the mini app only accepts Chinese IDs.

If the app only accepts Chinese IDs, you should be able to just show up with your passport. Even if that wasn't possible, they'd at least be able to point you in the right direction. This was my experience visiting Beijing in 2021 when appointments were very rigorous because of the pandemic.

I remember only 7 or 8 years ago just rocking up to Jingshan Park and buying a paper ticket to get in on the spot. I certainly can’t imagine it is so crowded now that they can’t do day of sales from ticket booths. It’s a real hassle now for foreign tourists.

I went to Pingyao Ancient City a few weekends ago and I think I was the only foreigner in the entire city. They also required a ticket that was entirely app based with no possibility to buy a physical ticket. Also needed to have your ticket QR code scanned to enter into any of the famous buildings there. I can imagine having to use apps and wechat/Alipay for everything is a real turnoff for foreigners in China for only a short tourist visit.

Well, at least it appears that Chaoyang Park, one of my favorites, has been spared from your list.

Earlier this year, whenever I'd grab a bite (from a restaurant or street stall), I'd first confirm if cash could be used. Legally, everyone has to accept it ... but that's not things tend to work. If I couldn't speak Chinese, it wouldn't at all be worth the hassle.

Hotels and train ticket purchases were made very easy with trip.com, but food and attractions are another story.

The app BS is certainly not a way to entice foreign visitors back to one's country (especially after years of first shunning them).

I could see them taking more drastic measures in making it easier for foreigners...at one point in the future. But it will take a while for the realization to sink in that it's just not very easy right now.
There have been some baby steps in the right direction, but I doubt any of those will have any impact whatsoever.

update
 

Ok, been here for 4 weeks now, after being gone for nearly 4 years. I'll keep my cryptic comments to Omni posts.
The biggest struggles are the tech variability and lack of ability to use 'some' credit cards. (Forget your Amex) The large country events has people busy. The 2-week Asian games in HZ were a tourist success, partly due to the timing during the 8-day Golden week. In country total travel was up 70-85% of the 2019 travel level, but holiday train travel was probably double/triple some routes. I'm in Bj this week, and the BRI conference has attracted some international folks (lots of diversity). The BRI white paper was released in English on oct 10th, it's a long, interesting read.
Variability on apps, yes FB + Gogl are blocked at almost all hotels, but IG is never blocked, go figure. ESPN & CNBC are also never blocked at most hotels that offer free public Wi-Fi. LI is always blocked, even on my cheap VPN.
As i can't afford those luxury Aple I phones, i use 3 Motorola models. One old 4G with my china mobile # and a separate we-chat. Also 2 moto 5G phones, one with my US ATT and the other 5G with my Latin chip removed thus it's a hotel wifi only with a separate WeChat & WhatsApp, always a guess on the different apps with these...especially on location maps!.
Updates from Beidaihe and Sanya next month.

takeaway after a month; IMO, two words describe local folk's mind set towards western tourists. prejudicial and residual. , I know strong cryptic comments need to go on Omni..