I want to make it crystal clear that I receive no kickbacks from Vincent. In fact, many other firms provide nearly identical services. I stick with Vincent myself because he has all of my paperwork on file.

UA857 is expensive. are there cheaper options?

lots of those are sold out Or not working anymore?

Is it any different about changing plans if the passenger is Chinese Citizen?
Can I chinese citizen transit through taiwan?

The current rule is that if there are direct flights from your departure country to China, then you have to take that. Otherwise you won't get a green code. For this purpose, the Delta, UA, and AA flights that stop briefly at ICN are eligible (ICN is not really seen as a stop).

As a Chinese citizen you CAN transfer through Taiwan (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/pl/post/3354.html) but the airline won't let you board in the US because the Chinese consulate / embassy won't issue you a green code because of the above rule.

There are other ways, such as staying for 30 days in Korea or Thailand. Flights from Thailand to China or super expensive now though.

These questions are probably better discussed on the other thread, Current China Entry Policy

If anything Chinese passport holders may face more hurdles because of lack of visa-free access to third countries on route.

Transit through Taiwan is not allowed. The only way to fly through Taiwan is if you have Taiwan residency and can enter Taiwan and then fly as a local passenger. That or the departing country's check-in clerk makes a mistake and allows you to board the flight to Taiwan, the transit ban is not necessarily enforced once you land in Taiwan.

This information is inaccurate. First of all transit flights to China was never allowed by the Taiwan authorities. But more importantly all transits were banned (still ongoing) due to the May 2021 Alpha outbreak in Taiwan.

The PRC consulate in Bangkok gave me approval to try Thailand transit if it was a business trip. This wouldn't have been cheaper than 857 (at the time) though. IIRC, BKK-CSX wasn't nearly as expensive as BKK-PVG. You would need to spend 2+ weeks in Thailand...not a deal-breaker for me, but this could be an issue for people with tight schedules.

I’m sure the 3 weeks in a Changsha hotel quarantine is a primo China experience.

Ok I stand corrected. The info I posted is old, and I'm unable to find anything newer.

My current plan (if I do leave China to go to the US) is to fly from the US to Taiwan first, endure quarantine, and stay for a couple of weeks. Then I'll fly to Shanghai and endure more quarantine. TW quarantine is 10 days now and I can get a place with a yard so that'll be bearable. Also flying from TW I won't need to get blood drawn or get an antigen test. Just a PCR test.

You might be a bit confused. The blood test is to check for antibodies (as a result of vaccination or a previous infection, presumably), PCR and antigen tests typically (but not always) use a nasal swab, with the PCR test being more expensive, often slower, and generally more accurate.

I think when they implemented the 7 day before the flight testing requirement they got rid of the blood test for those who are vaxed with the Chinese vaccines. Folks vaccinated with the western ones still need the blood test.

I know this is the case flying from the US. Flying from Taiwan, I think only a PCR test within 72 hours is required.

So, after a month of stress and worry, this morning I finally got my green hdc code....this evening I fly LHR to Helsinki, 17 hour lay over for more tests and then on to Shanghai....2 SinoVac shots, 2 Moderna shots, numerous PCR tests and how ever long in quarrantine or isolation in both Shanghai and Handan will be worth it to see my wife again....

They're not confused. You don't know about China's entry requirements. They require antibody testing.

I personally admit that I am confused by the vast barrage of tests we have to endure. It doesn't really matter though; the specific rules change frequently and "doing what you're told" is a fact of life. My most unpleasant test to date was the nasal swab on day-3 of quarantine (she reached a part of my nose that I didn't know existed). I'm now completely fine with blood tests.

Flight path on 24 February 2022 from CDG -> ICN: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...852Z/LFPG/RKSI (9hr 54min)
Flight path on 28 February 2022 from CDG -> ICN: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...825Z/LFPG/RKSI (12hr 14min)

Adds a little over 2 hours. I can't see the distance on this website but looks like the 77W can make it without a problem.