My experience of the Chinese has not been violent in the least, so I don't think i'd worry too much about sleeping out in a tent. Having said that though, my experience is also that if you leave your flies unzipped in this country, someone will steal your underpants, so I wouldn't recommend camping out, no.

Should be mostly safe. Be discrete, try to put your tent in a place not visible from the road/path to not attract curiosity, and you'll be fine.

I think it is safe but I would not do so in major cities, Chinese are not violent people especially outside major cities, they might be curious however if they see you or your tent, non-Chinese faces are not a common sight in the more rural areas. But the only thing that can happen to you is to be invited in their oversized rural home for a meal and to drink some baijiu, they might propose you to stay overnight.

I don't know whether it is legal or not but in the plains you will not find many places to camp, 99.99% of the flat land outside settlements is used for agricultural purposes, it takes a lot to feed 1.4 billion people. You will have more chances in mountainous areas and the more wild Western China.

Camping in China is safe and fun.  Go on an expedition with some of your Chinese friends.  Likely, there's a few of them who like camping.  Or plan your own trips.  I suggest Yangshuo or the mountains of Kunming.  You can probably even rent a field from a farmer with a perfect view for sleeping.

China has many great places for camping, but just remember to bring the bug spray. China is fertile ground for mosquitoes.

Recently there have been stories of people dressed up as police officers going to camp sites armed and "confiscating" valuables from people. So.....be careful.

I'm always afraid that I'll run into a cobra or other snake in rural areas, I'm lucky like that. The snakes have to be around, every restaurant has snake baijui on display.  I had an interesting talk with an Azzi in Philippines about snakes there. He grew up milking them. I'd just scream like a little girl.

It is legal and mostly safe.. Now a days there are lots of Chinese people camping too.

You can see how much Camping products are being sold on taobao.

I hope is safe at some places. I tried last time to convince my wife into it. I like to buy a tent and put it just beside our in-laws house. "noooo, it is no safe". I said, "wtf, who can here, in this god forbidden village of 200 people come and thief me together with tent ? " - "nooo, there is no good place", - "damn, give up this year "