Originally Posted by
bbmatt
But I think in this case I will have a solely air side transit (air china to air china - LAX-PEK-HKG). I already booked the tix so I guess I'll just have to go and cross my fingers. Hopefully the immigration office won't notice that I won't technically have to leave the terminal to make the connection.
Is it standard practice for them to give you the stamp at the transit desk, or is it something you have to ask for? (ie. plead and beg that they let me out so I can get some good sleep/food).
Standard practice. Just show your onward boarding pass for the next day flight. It doesn't matter that it is on the same airline from the same terminal. They'd probably think you were nuts to NOT leave the airport and go to a hotel for the night.
Chinese immigration is not nearly the fearsome beast that US immigration is, especially to First World foreigners, so rest easy and it will all work out OK.