Look at what the article said:
“[BEIJING] A hotel in the Chinese city of Shenzhen plans to charge its US guests an extra 25 per cent amid a trade war between Beijing and Washington, according to the Global Times, a tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily. “
This is from the government, maybe. “A tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily”...
This seems to me, to be a move by the government.
Maybe.
Just saying.
Retired in SE Asia I see the Chinese influence all around me. China says "Sh#t" in this part of Asia and the local pols simply ask what color and how much?