eh u all realise either etrade/sogotrade/ameritrade/ upon dividend collection there is 30% non-us citizen witholding tax. where as if u are buying same stock from LSE  eg gsk.l british petroleum.london or hsbc.london  there is no taxation for british stock. which at the moment local bank trading fees for uk stock is 0.7% or minimum 97 GBP per trade and stamp duty 0.5%

eg if u bought 100share of GSK at 1590pence = 1590 + 97 gbp + 7.95 = total is GBP 1694.

agree local share non have good track record of dividend increase and stable pricing for the last 20yrs.
china shadow banking have made many private equity to flee china stock at the moment. no doubt if u have 20-30 yrs of investing horizon will have a very bright future. i am a diversified investor
my portfolio. (anything had no miss his earning for the last 10 yrs + high dividend yeild)
bank of china 3988.hk 7% no tax
hsbc
standard chartered
coca-cola
kraft
tesco (bought recently below 290pence)
gsk
PM
unilever
shells
china mobile and petroleum
british petroleum
berkshire b class
altria group
macdonald
visa mastercard and american express. 
nestle lindt7sprungi swiss reinsurance zurich insurance munich reinsurance,
burberry
LVMH
vanguard s&p 500 index funds (can only use tdameritrade to buy)

above mentioned non of the local equity can match their size or competitive advantage.

as for transfer easy la. go to ure local bank and ask for assistance.