I personally worked with Chinaman company small or listed and even MNC before.

You can't compared Chinaman Benefits to a INternational MNC, simply because the Organisation value, profit margin and expectation of job performance .

I seen fresh graduate jumped from Chinaman to MNC for better wages & benefits but can't cope with the job expectation and pressure- go back to Chinaman comp for easier life.

MNC job - pay more & benefit higher, flexible
your job performance review every 3 months
Expect you to contribute more and a lot of processes
In short, stretch your capability and comfort zone

Chinaman - pay can be slightly lower. Benefits a lots lower
Job performance review 12 months or some 6 months
Expectation - as long as you do your parts. Of course some requires multi tasking.
In short, less structure. Provide more room for creativity and initiative for improvement.
Promotion chances - easier if you are a talent.

actually that style isn't unique to a particular race. it is similar across businesses where competition is great, margin is low and funding doesn't come in big pots

as a business, u need to do all u can to survive - minimize cost, maximize productivity.

after u understand this, then what u want to try to avoid isn't 'çhinaman' but particular industry which characteristics u don't like

Inb4 360° = back to square, it shd be 180°....
1. How to avoid "Chinaman" company?
What questions we can ask during the interview to determine the work culture so that we don't end up with such company? What are the red flags?
- You can get some clue during interview session, especially when interviewer told you that they got special holiday during Chinese festival, like Dong Zhi, Mooncake fastival, etc., or even got special holiday during CNY and need to open the office at specific time, then confirm it is Chinaman style company.
- Management, if lots old people in the management, then you got 50% chance that is a typical Chinaman Style, especially if the founder \ top management is building their business from sketch. To know this info, you may do some research before interview \ applying the position
- Company target market, and customer base, this can give you some hint on the company characteristic.
2. Can I email the company before I apply to their job posting? I mean asking questions such as working hours etc.? Or you think that it's best not to do so, especially when I'm desperate for a job and this might hinder them from inviting me to their interview session?
- Usually if you are not even a candidate, they wont reply your questions, just because it is waste of their time + afraid of "spy" (for those typical mindset), but if they reply your email, meaning to say that they are confident on themselves and there is SOP to reply even a stranger email, then you can start to consider on job application.

I suppose you can directly ask the company whether they are Chinaman company or not. 

Nothing stopping you.

If you own a business, you want to run it Chinaman way or GLC/MNC way?

If you want to suit local culture, then it's the Chinaman way already.

Errrr... Letting Muslims perform their prayers, that's the culture here, Chinaman company or otherwise.

You want 100% Germany style, you need to have the following:

1. Pay RM 10k starting salary for fresh grads.
2. 5 day work week.
3. No work or staying back after 5, absolutely no OT.
4. No WhatsApp/ email after 5pm.  It's against the law.
5. Absolutely no pressuring the employee.
6. 30 to 45 days annual leave.
7. 6 months maternity leave
8. 2 months paternity leave
9. Free snacks tea for morning and afternoon.
10. Subsidised lunch.
11. Free 15 minute massage once a day.

Do the above and I salute you.

Anything less, you're still a Chinaman company.

Good luck.