the paperwork and extra effort to deal with foreigners was his biggest concern, but if you had hurt or caused any problems for chinese citizens, all hell would have broke loose on all of you. this is china.

They don't bother me in China whatsoever. It's because of the language barrierme thinks... I'm 'police bother me often' guy in the West.

There's cop house on the big crossing in my city with 2-3 cops present all the time. It was closed/abandoned for Moon's festivities.

I guess, Moon is in charge of the traffic during the holidays in my city.

I cross the road on any light, despite cops could see me, but they never say anything.

In general, Chinese cops don't like to deal with paperwork and put out more effort than they need to, not unless properly motivated. Notice how many cars drive in the bike lane, or park wherever they want, while cops pretend not to see. Same with all the scooters and ebikes that never stop for red lights, while the cops watch. 

Now, if there was an altercation between you and a local (well, a Han local), then ethnic pride would get the cops involved. You see the occasional article about non-Chinese who are caught jaywalking, or urinating in public, when they want to make an example of how terrible those "foreigners" are, but I would wager that most of the time, the police just don't care enough to do anything aobut it. 

As far as my experiences, I've never had any dealings with the police beyond registration at the police station. Though, I've avoided breaking laws too. I wouldn't drink and go riding, not just because it's illegal, but it's dangerous (and also the negativity that would come from an article about how "Foreigners don't obey traffic laws" is something none of us need). I have had a local once spit on me, shout something, and then ride off, while the police just looked on. I'm sure if it were reversed, or if the guy didn't ride off, but started a fight, then the cops would get involved, and when a white guy and a yellow guy are involved in any fight (it's more about race than nationality, but here, they conflate the two), it wouldn't matter who starts it. You know who would be blamed. 

You weren't causing any real mischief. I like that the cops are cool about somethings, even running red lights. I live rural in Canada, policing has gotten so big, you can't do anything.

I'm not a paranoid person, I had men watching me sometimes, then I realized they were undercover cops. I'm sure they must look at foreigners. When I got my last visa I was warned to  obey all laws including no sex with women. (how did they know?) I'm not ready to be a switch hitter yet.

one third of a beer will get you a days suspension at home, plus all the extras,,,,,wtf?

I wouldn't know.  Any time a Chinese police officer tries talking to me, I suddenly become an Arabic speaker, and they quickly leave.

Sounds like all the people that answered haven't got in to any real altercations (probably a combination of luck and keeping their heads down) but I am sure some of you have got into some real crap and the cops had to get in on it. 

Talking to you Hulk and Mike... lol

I couldn't tell you.  The only thing I've seen police officers do here is take photos of accidents or pretend to direct traffic flow at some absurdly congested intersection.  Oh, I have seen them mediate(at least try) some petty argument on the street.  Has anyone seen different?

as someone already said, try to get involved in a fight with a Han, that could be the real test to see whether cops treat you differently or not. Talking about this, from my experience Shanghai is better than Beijing and Bejing is better than Hangzhou...

Otherwise traffic rules?I saw more than once cops breaking them. Who really gives a F about traffic rules here...

I have only had good dealings with the police. Always professional. I have never noticed any anti foreigner sentiment when a problem with the locals happens.

I thought the recent car thing was, but that was in the heat of the moment and it was surely my fault.

Even my jail time was fairly pleasant. No handcuffs. No cells just sitting in a comfortable office chair. When they realized I wasnt going to go away easy they did their jobs and sided with me.

So it may happen but i have never experienced the us against them with police. They have usually treated me better than the Chinese.

I didnt have my drivers license for the first few years. Been checked a few times and nothing.

I like the cops here. Ive been to alot of countries where the police bring fear. Here its just indifference. Thats cool.

I never deal with cops in China, in fact last weekend they were checking everyone's apartments in my residence, we got a paper notice (also my Chinese neighbors who I know) a week before asking us to be here on Sunday 31st of August between 10 and 11 am, I was here relaxing in my sofa, they knocked on the door, I didn't even bother to open. But cops in China are alright, they don't bother me at all, people don't seem to fear or like them, they are just indifferent.

Chinese cops are pretty lazy about solving any crime. One of my coworkers got her bag stolen from Starbucks, so she called the Police and their response was basically "Well, what do you want me to do about it?".  My girlfriend is a police officer too(she does clerical work) and told me unless they can solve in it quickly they won't even bother. She said usually foreigners they will try a little harder if you complain. That's only because they are afraid you will say complain, and it will make them look if it gets reported and people talk about it. Hence why some Japanese guy's bike was found within a day of it being stolen, and most Chinese can't get a phone they forgot in taxi back.

I never have problems with cops. Once I showed my passport they'll wave me off. But I sometimes pity the locals because cops will hassle them no end.