A well-known VPN does not remove the need for a local-network test
An internationally recognised VPN may offer many locations, platforms and privacy features. Those can be valuable, but they answer a different question from whether the current client can connect reliably from your particular network. The same distinction applies to Hailian and any smaller provider.
Why results vary
The path includes your device, local Wi-Fi or carrier, international routing, a VPN endpoint and the destination. Filtering, congestion and account rules can change independently. A service that worked on another person's ISP last month may behave differently for you today.
Research such as the USENIX study of fully encrypted traffic detection documents particular observations and mechanisms from its study period. It does not prove that every current VPN flow is detected or that any present product is immune.
Large providers can have restricted-country support
The original Chinese post used an overly broad contrast with major brands. Some publish specific guidance: NordVPN's official instructions address restricted-country connections. Read the current provider's instructions rather than assuming that its normal default server is the only supported option.
Instructions still are not a guarantee of present availability. This article does not contain fresh tests of NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Hailian, and it does not rank their measured success rates.
A comparison that helps
Check whether each provider supports your exact device and OS, offers an official installer you can obtain, documents the relevant network conditions and provides usable support. Then compare current price, renewal, refunds, simultaneous-device rules and any mode limitations.
If a particular work tool or platform matters, test it directly. An IP location or a successful speed test cannot establish that a destination accepts the route.
Where Hailian fits
Hailian's intended advantage is an integrated account and client workflow, with route selection and smart or global routing where supported. Users do not need to maintain their own VPS for ordinary use. Check the current downloads and pricing pages to confirm what is actually available.
It is not a promise of permanent connectivity, a substitute for device security or a guarantee of access to every streaming service. Read the English terms and privacy policy.
Test before committing
Use a legitimate trial or the applicable refund terms. Test on your normal device and network, repeat the task at relevant times and compare one variable at a time. Record a failure to install, failure to establish the tunnel and a destination-specific refusal separately.
If Hailian connects but a website fails, follow the layered diagnosis. A purchasing decision grounded in compatibility and an actual trial is more useful than either a famous logo or an unverified claim that a smaller provider always works.