It's conceivable that things might happen next week, but I've been told not to expect many/any material changes (e.g. more flights, shorter quarantine, new visas) until (the first day of) Q2, 2023. Maybe we'll at least get a better picture of the plan after the big meeting wraps up.

I would book the return flight from China using award miles in December for next November. At least, for United Airlines, there is no re-deposit fees for premier members. I booked an award ticket for next April a few months ago because I can cancel it free of charge (1K member).

Someone claims all 10 year visas are currently suspended. I'm not seeing this on a quick Google searches. True?

They were suspended back in 2020. The question is whether they have been reinstated.

I was previously under the impression that they will not be reinstated, but someone brought up reciprocity upthread, and I could see this being an issue. On the other hand, if the country remains mostly closed, they can run out the ten year clock for many people. However, if you get a new visa (probably short duration single entry), your existing visa will be cancelled anyway.

On a semi related note, do any of you guys know if eChannel still exists? I'm flying out next week, and it would be nice to use it. I've heard from posters in the HK forum that it's up and running there again (your old bar code works).

The machines are still there, covered in plastic. You will have absolutely no chance of actually using these machines. Have a safe trip!

At the time they said "suspended", not "cancelled". I had figured that when they reopen they'll reinstate the visas if their clocks haven't run out.

When I was told I can apply for a visa in August, the consulate here in the USA said, my current 10 year visa was cancelled (all were) when they announced the closing of the country. I was only given a single entry visa to come back this year. It may change in the future, the number of entries, length, etc. but I am almost certain the old visas are toast.

ALL visa's issued before 26 March 2020 were SUSPENDED, not canceled.
The reason why it's important to make a distinction between SUSPENDED and CANCELED, is because they DID un-suspend residency permits in September 2020.
there is speculation that -technically- they could indeed un-suspend the tourist visas, if they wanted to, as there now is precedent.
If you look at the announcement where they un-suspended Residency permits The notice on the Announcement on Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Residence Permits of Three Categories
they mention:
"The entry by foreign nationals holding Visas issued before March 26 Announcement <broken link removed> are still temporarily suspended."

I bolded the interesting word of TEMPORARILY in that statement.

Ok, I read the posts back up to ~2018 or so.

• Houston consulate was closed in July 2020. Everything from that jurisdiction is now under DC jurisdiction: https://www.visarite.com/china_visa_...risdiction.htm
• Some suggested visa agents were mychinavisa, chinavisasolutions, freechinavisa [not actually free]
• There's a new entrepreneur visa 创业签证 since 2018, not too much info on this out there.
• Seems like no real tangible benefit for M (business) visa over L (tourist) visa
• The "set up a WFOE to get yourself a RP" route might still exist after visa reissuance starts again normally? Who knows?

Their advice is presumably free. I used to get my visas in person at the DC PRC consulate (as well as LA and SF), but now I'd be fine with paying $100-$200 for asking someone else to help.
I'm pretty sure the rug was pulled out from this one.
M permits you to conduct business but not actually work. This means you're in the clear if you work for the NY branch of McKinsey and want to conduct meetings in the Shanghai office.
I presume this avenue was open throughout the pandemic (except for when relevant government offices were closed). My own experience with this journey was probably far more painful than it needed to be, but the first one was really hard (e.g. set up HK company and Shanghai company with bank accounts and registered offices for each, visit to the US department of state in order to get documents Medalion seals, translate all of my diplomas, a letter from an attorney, medical check). This is where Vincent and Scott came in handy; their fee for year 1 was certainly steep, but since then, it's been smooth sailing (e.g. 5 years for the second RP, and they only charged Y2500 for this).

I have a US passport and an APEC card. However the US is a transitional economy in ABTC so the card is mostly useful for expedited entry rather than working as a visa.

https://www.apec.org/docs/default-so...rsn=260f0b80_2

Per this chart (which again does not fully apply to the US or Canada), the APEC card cannot be used for tourism to the PRC and can be used for transit only when on business.

Does this mean that it is preferable to have a M visa rather than a L visa? My travel would be partially for business, partially for leisure. But it might be awkward if one shows up with a L visa and an APEC card?

In this case, can a competent visa agent provide an invitation letter for a M visa? Thanks!

Somehow I just knew that when China opened up again, WFOE & Vincent would make a reappearance!
:)

To clarify, I don't think this method would have worked during COVID while a PU letter, etc was needed and it was pretty hard/impossible to get in.

However, it very well might work in 2023 and beyond. Considering all options

I am Canadian, with APEC card, and also travel to China for a mix of business and personal reasons. Over 40 years, I have been issued
a mix of L and/or M visas, and currently hold a suspended 10 year M visa.
I have entered on both L and M for business reasons, and on both L and M for personal reasons.
In the years that I have had an APEC card, I have always displayed it at immigration for faster entry/exit regardless
of traveling for business or pleasure.
I think you are overthinking this. In general, if you get your visa with an invitation from a company, you will generally get an M Visa.
If you apply on a personal basis, you will generally get an L visa.
But you can certainly visit family or tour on an M visa, and you can certainly hold business meetings when on a L visa.