Originally Posted by
STS-134
My understanding is that a Q1 is a single entry visa that gets converted into an RP after you arrive in China and apply. Q1 is not intended to be used except to enter China once, and the intention is that the holder will apply for an RP once there. Q2 is not intended to ever be converted into an RP and I don't even know how you would do that, nor would I want to. My Q2 is valid for 10 years. Everything I've read says that if you want an RP, you get a Q1 first, if you go the Q visa route.
A 5 year RP (now sort of standard) is much better than a 10 year visa IMO because, in addition to echannel, you don't need to count days and do random visa runs.