Originally Posted by
moondog
Yes, and there's nothing stopping him from doing this:
1) buy refundable airplane ticket to destination X
2) cancel ticket
3) exit China via bus at Shekou
Since almost nobody does this, there is snag potential, but I believe he would be compliant with TWOV.
Personally, I definitely won't chance this. TWOV is for onward international flights, not by surface transport out of China.
This is what's said on the Chinese Embassy in Washington website:
A foreign citizen who is transiting through China by air is exempted from a visa if he/she will stay only in the airport for no more than 24 hours and has a valid connecting ticket with confirmed seating on an international flight.
There won't be problem entering China. Leaving would be THE issue.