You can't use the APEC card issued by the US to enter China. Just not possible since there is no mechanism to apply for the necessary preclearance in the US. You must get a visa.
That said, the card is very handy since the "special" line is usually much shorter.
As for NRT, I was told I cannot take family with me through the lane. In fact, they wouldn't even let me use the lane because the passport number on my card didn't match the passport I was trying to use to enter the country (even though we get visa waiver anyways).