Whenever I tell my Chinese friends that I've visited more than 25 countries, they inevitably ask me which one is my favorite. My answer is always Switzerland.

Aside from its scenic beauty, I love Switzerland because it is a nation that runs on trust. The national character of people is built on honesty. If you leave anything on a train or bus, you are sure to get it back. Nobody checks tickets, but if you are caught you must brace for a hefty fine.

Public transport runs like clockwork. If you call anybody to your home to repair something, work is finished to your satisfaction.

It's nearly impossible to find comparable social morals in Beijing. I'm not too worried about traffic, inflation or pollution levels, but what pains me is to see declining social standards.

When I first came to Beijing during the 2008 Olympics, I was amazed at taxi drivers' politeness. Unfortunately, such courtesy is a thing of the past.  I'm routinely overlooked in favor of Chinese when trying to hail a taxi.

On buses and the subway, few commuters offer their seats to the elderly, disabled or pregnant. When I allow ladies to go ahead of me or hold the door open for others, I'm met by looks of bewilderment.

As for honesty, the less said the better. A friend of mine who forgot her bag on a bus tried talking to bus staff in vain when trying to retrieve her bag.

Last week, my new cellphone was stolen in a crowded Sanlitun bar. I was neither drunk nor showing it off in public. I was just sitting and watching energetic souls dance around me, oblivious to the fact that a thief was plying his trade.

Many people like me lose their cellphones and never see them again. Sometimes, desperate cellphone owners send text messages to thieves hoping to get their phone back to recover important information and contacts, but few of these stories have happy endings.

This is not to say Beijing lacks decent, honest people. The world is full of good and bad people alike.

China is a nation in transition. Its rapid development is causing society and social values to undergo dramatic changes. I have always loved China, and hope that a city like Beijing can retain its pristine charm, ethics and virtues.