How to access AI from a blocked region? From 2022 to 2026, a Chinese developer's perspective

Not long ago, I saw articles analyzing how Chinese people obtain US model API at low prices through non-compliant means, and also saw Chinese developer sharing their Vibecoding experiences. Very interesting, it seems the outside world is finally starting to understand our daily lives. I want to share a complete perspective here: how an ordinary Chinese student, also developer, accesses the most advanced US models. Including the evolution of various access methods over 4 years, the practical experience of using various methods, and the problems encountered, etc. I will try to describe it objectively and truthfully. Let's start by going back to November 2022, when OpenAI released "ChatGPT": Phase 1: "ChatGPT" ChatGPT was released, and it was big news in China, even though it predictably did not serve China. Even though I was still a high school student at the time, I was still interested, after all, it was the first time I saw something truly close to "intelligence". How to access it? There are two types of services generally inaccessible in China: one is that the GFW blocks the domain name or IP of the service, and the other is that the service provider refuses IPs from China. ChatGPT is both. The solution is also simple, use a proxy, which is a basic skill for Chinese developers. In addition, registration requires receiving a SMS verification code. Chinese mobile numbers are definitely not an option, but the solution is not difficult either, find a verification code receiving platform, use a temporary number to receive the verification code. Thus, I started using ChatGPT, which now seems like a model that speaks slowly and is not very smart. Phase 2: "Mirror Sites" During high school, I didn't have many scenarios to use ChatGPT. I started using AI more when I entered university, as AI is well-suited for dealing with those annoying assignments. It was the second half of 2023, and there was a new way to access it: mirror sites. "Mirror sites" originally referred to an