OK - Have managed to sort.

On my last trip, my Shanghai guide, who I got on really well with and regard as a friend and kept in touch with the intention of reconnecting on this trip.

I was merely asking him how I might be able to get round this - and possibly asking him to get me a Chinese Sim so I could book.

He went much further. He has just booked the flight for me and the wife and paid himself - which I will pay back with AliPay in CNY200 hits to avoid the foreign transaction fees using 2 phones I have set up. The total amount was 2 surcharges for "aeroplanes and fuel oil" so was CNY940 each including seats 1A and 1B, 30kg hold and 10kg of cabin luggage. Happy days.

Very lucky I connected so well. I even had a separate day out with his daughter and friend on my last visit - so obviously made a good impression.

He did have problems at first though as he couldn't make the booking for others unless the cell phone number was travelling too. So his number is now my number!