Sorry if my comment came off as a little blunt, as I intended no rudeness, but I'm tired of knee-jerk comments regarding Russia. In your linked study they measure number of buckled drivers as slightly more than 50%. That's somewhat different to jamming seat buckle altogether with a key holder, don't you think?
Rear seat passengers do not wear seat belts indeed, but that's another story: lots of cars simply don't have them and it's not enforced by law.
OK, sorry if I was took it the wrong way. What I was responding to was more the seat belt usage isn't too common and people feeling offended if you as a passenger put on a seatbelt. I did not experiencing the particular situation with the key holder. China is no doubt worse, but my point was that this particular thing (lack of seatbelt usage and negative opinion about them) says little about China given that it's a fairly worldwide phenomenon.
In China the seat belts in Taxi's are so dirty, if they have them at all (most are removed), that if you put the belt on, your clothes will be filthy when you get out. That is because the seat belts are never used. So it is your safety or or cleanliness and appearance -- even I am reluctant to cover myself with filth for a short trip.
Rear seat passengers do not wear seat belts indeed, but that's another story: lots of cars simply don't have them and it's not enforced by law.