Arrival and Return in PVG
 

I've found a possible route for my upcoming mileage run on AA. It would include ORD-PVG; and would immediately return PVG-ORD. The layover between inbound and outbound flight is only 2.5h. Based on what I'm reading that could be enough, but:
1) I'd like to confirm this with you: Should this suffice? I will not have any luggage.
2) Does it matter that my "connection" is in fact the return flight, and not just another leg on the first half of the ticket? Would that case be treated differently than if it's a real connection?

Thank you!

2.5h is tight considering that you need to pass immigration twice, which is a hassle. And of course other miscellaneous things, like secondary security for passengers travelling to the US, check-in closed 1h before departure, etc.

If you intend to do so, make up some reasonable excuses why you will stay in China for 0 day(s), as it might be asked by the immigration official.

I personally do not recommend taking any risk and re-routing.

Do you have proper travel documents to China?

Thanks, good advice. This and the fact that I'd need a visa even when not leaving the airport, appears to make it too much of a hassle. I'll look for alternatives, ICN seems a lot easier.