the first question is china side doesn't know how to deal with this kind of issues. blocking isn't going to help for the long term.
here is much smarter, everything is free available but closely monitored for whatever reasons. of course, us has the technologies.
one thing you probably don't understand is how internet constructed. no any other country could ever do what has been done here. but the internet was invented by the states anyway. that is why usa has full control of information flows.
as to 上訪的人抓起來, 打一頓, that's exactly what i was talking about: strong legal system and culture.
in china, 打一頓 usually isn't considered as a crime. here it is A CRIME, FELONY charge...