Sorry side tracking a bit:
I hold an ABTC but it has expiry on the card as 'August 2015'. I have just been asked to go to Beijing in July for a week. Previously I won't need a visa. I can't find out if there is a minimum valid duration of the ABTC for exemption of visa entry. My local chinese embassy said they do not know and referred me to an office in Beijing.
Does anyone have experience in similar situation?