I am a little traumatised after reading your experience.

Once again, going to many places does not necessarily guarantee to broaden one's mind, rather it appears in this case reinforcing one's perception.  All your complaints and whinges seem to have based on Alipay does not apply the same practices as those applied by American financial institutions.  But, it is a big wild world, what you consider as norm in your corner can be considered abnormalities in other places.  It is NOT wise to expect a Chinese company to be the same as American companies, simply because they are not the same.

The Chinese payment system is in principle designed based on the amount of money each already has in each's bank account, it doesn't not provide credit facilities like credit cards.  So when Alipay considers the credit card substitution by a new customer without any prior transactions to be irregular, and thus suspending the account temporarily, This should be respected as it is legitimate to look after its interest,  your complaints in this regards are totally groundless.  In addition, when opening the account you chose to protect yourself by not linking to your debit card, rather to a credit card out of self interest, by the same token, you should appreciate Ali pay taking the measures to protect its interest.  It goes both ways, doesn't it?

if I were you, I would elect to link it to a debit card, as I can decide how much balance in the account.  I could open one debit account just for the taxi fares.  I could leave for example $200 in it, plenty for taxi trips, and I can top it up as it goes and as it needs.  This Wayne I have control of the amount in debit account.  Even if fraud happens, your maximum loss is the balance in the account.  This way it will save you all those dramas and traumas on the eve of your journey, when you least need it.  Thinking outside of the box is a gift.