Last week I walked into the Chinese Embassy in San Francisco and had no problem getting a multi-entry "F" visa for 120 days/visit. I had an admissions letter from a language school (two 4-week courses) and all I needed was a single entry visa. However, I asked about the 1-year F and she said fine. I only had one other visa for China in my passport (30 day "L" visa from last summer). I hope this means that I can get a 2-year F visa when this one expires next June.