Originally Posted by
moondog
The same rules apply to all inbound flights. Sure, some random airline rep might ask you for a visa, but you don't need one if you have a compliant onward ticket.
In HKG, check-in agent had to get the permission from immigration office in your mainland landing airport (TFU for my son’s case) for permission before issuing a boarding pass. He flew Sichuan airlines. This was also the case for myself in early 2023 (HKG-HGH), which took 90 min. My Chinese visa was invalid at that time. This flight was on CX.