I'd be curious to hear more about that experience. I've compiled a lot of general info about Chinese government and the behaviour of the people etc. It can be abhorrent sometimes. I hear a lot about those in Africa, such as how they bring an army in for the Belt and Road development... but bring their own Chinese workers, giving literally no jobs to the local communities. That leads to debt trap diplomacy yadda yadda...
Unpleasant...
You made an amazing choice by declining. This country is getting further and further apart from the rest of the world, approaching North Korea levels so... probably wise to stay away!