It is supposed to be easier for Canada. The USA has a fiancee also. Canadas visa site indicates that visa applications are processed in 6 to 8 months, but anyone I met said it took about 3 years and felt the process was just there to make them give up. This year Canada said that marriage visas would be easier, but I do not know if it is.

 A tourist visa is difficult if you don't own a house, car and have a good permanent job and have lots of money in the bank.

 I think immigration visas take along time and I have no knowledge of how hard they are to get for an average person. If you have a valuable skill, it can be easier.

 The whole idea of restricting visas is just so unfair and discriminatory as far as I see it. I know that countries would be over run with immigrants if we didn't have visas. Our welfare system and public housing are full of immigrants, while native Canadians are often denied assistance. Korea and Hong Kong do not require a visa to come to Canada

"The West" is a very broad term, a broad generalization to an answer is. "Yes"

I don't know what you mean by "visa" since there are multiple types of Visa. But if you referring to a green card, yes it's much much much easier if you are married to a foreigner.

I worked at an IT company in America were most the staff were from India. Most of them had been in America 6+ years but still hadn't been approved for their green card.  Then there was an Indian guy who married an American girl and within 6 months he had his green card.

Perfect example of how much easier and quicker it is when youa re married to a foreigner.

And THIS is exactly foreigners always need to be carefull in a place like China when it comes to falling in love.  It really is an easy ticket to a green card for most women (or men). 

I'm going through the same process right now with my wife. She has a Chinese realitive who went to both highschool and college in America and now his career is in America. He still doesn't have his greencard. Meanwhile my wife should probably get one within the next 12 months, without actually ever had stepped foot in America.

It is pretty unfair, I agree.

Yes, it is easier. Period.

My wife now holds a 2 year multi-entry visa for Schengen (most of EU + a few more) which she got with very little effort because I am from a Schengen country.

In general it also helps her having a Schengen visa in her passport. Schengen is one of the most difficult visas to obtain, so having them in her passport helps when applying to other countries as well (at least for US and UK as far as I have seen).

Schengen doesn't even have tourist visas for Chinese unless they go with a group, so not only does it make it easier, it is also the only way (except of course business).

Where it gets easier is that the spouse has to prove

they can support their Chinese partner.

also that they are willing to be a good citizen and not be a burden on the public purse

so at the end of the day

It all boils down to the $ you have

If you have health problems or a criminal record I would say not a chance in hell

but for the majority who are genuine and have money the Door is open  

hope this helps