So I've arrived in Beijing and still in one piece, but the process was definitely more arduous than I first imagined.

Maybe what happened to me was not the standard procedure, but I will share with the ft community as a heads up.

The customs officers at PEK terminal 2 definitely knew about the program. In fact, signs were plastered everywhere advertising it.

When it came to actually using it though, the process was not simple. I was sent to "secondary" screening. Which included meeting with an officer in a back corner office whom spoke little to no English. They demanded all my papers for accommodation and ongoing flights, which I thankfully had pre printed off. Of course all my bookings are in English, and he understood none of it. They took the process of calling all the hotels I was booked at to confirm I had indeed paid before he was satisfied with my lodging. Entire process was about 30 minutes. Long story short, not as simple as it might seem and make sure you have your booking all in black and white.