Originally Posted by
mlin32
Can answer my own question for the Frankfurt Visa Centre : yes, they will issue by default, 10 year L visas for US passport holders.
Visas in general cost double for US passport holders than for Schengen passport holders, but to get it for 10 years makes it more worthwhile.
The China visa cost is reciprocal, they charge US passport holders the same amount that the US charges Chinese passport holders. That is why it is different by nationality. But at least you got 10 years!