As a researcher I always make sure that there is at least a preprint available for download, and always try to publish my research in open access journals (which is much more expensive).
I will be glad if someone pirate my papers, it is a corrupt system in many ways.
I couldn’t use Tor inside China, I tried but did not establish a connection. Didn’t dig into it also.
I travelled to China in October 2023. I have a Wireshark VPN running at home with my internet provider (dinamic IP), and it worked for few hours (about 6) and they ban the IP. Resetting the router and getting a new made it work for another few hours.
As others suggested the vpn traffic is encrypted but very easy to detect. I read about some protocols that can bypass it like shadow shocks but I didn’t have time to tinkering (it was my first time in China).
I ended by using the service provided by 12vpx and it worked flawlessly. Someone recommended it and it is specialized in provided access in china with lots of gateways. I never had problems with this provider.
Probably there are others that also work but that is my experience.
It could be a 18650 or another lithium standard size and make everybody Happy. Easy to remplace and a bigger life than square sized batteries.