TIC... in China or out, the only consistancy is inconsistancy. Laws and regulations are either interpreted or 'made up' by by individuals on whims that some how seem to always line that individual's pockets... but are justified by being "For the good of the people".
When I applied for my Z visa, I was told I must supply a round-trip ticket to the Consulate. Of course, one cannot find out exactly what is required because the Consulate does not publish the requirements and no one will answer the phone or emails... one must go through a travel agent and cannot apply 'in person'.
This how the conversation went -
TA: "You seem to have everything so I will book you a ticket... we have better price than anything you can find online."
CM: "Cool... but I'll book a ticket after I get the visa."
TA: "You must submit round-trip itinerary to get visa. I will book you a ticket."
CM: "I'm not applying for an 'L', it's a 'Z'... a work visa, so I don't need a round-trip ticket... and I don't ever want to come back to Canada."
TA: "Consulate change rules last week."
CM: "That makes no sense."
TA: "Sorry... I must give Consulate itinerary."
CM: "Itinerary... or ticket?"
TA: "Itinerary. I will book you a ticket."
CM: "No, I will buy a one-way ticket after I get the visa."
TA: "You must have itinerary."
CM: "So... make up a fuckin' itinerary."
TA: "One moment please... I will phone the visa expert." (ten-minute phone call in Mandarin) "Sorry, price on website is wrong."
CM: "Price for the visa... or airfare?
TA: "Price for visa."
CM: "How did I know this was coming."
TA: (Puzzled look)
CM: "How much?"
TA: "$173.00"
CM: "Okay."
TA: "You must pay cash for visa... ticket you can pay cash or credit card."
CM: "I'm not buying a ticket until I have the visa.
TA: "One moment please... I will phone visa expert." (Ten-minute phone call in Mandarin) "Good news... you don't need round-trip ticket because it is Z visa."
CM: "No shit."
TA: "I will book you a one-way ticket."
CM: "Jesus H. Fucking Christ, how many fuckin' times do I have to fuckin' tell you I'm not buying a fuckin' ticket until I have fuckin' VISA!"
TA: "Oh... I'll just make up an itinerary then."
CM: "Brilliant. You do that."
TA: "When do you need visa?"
CM: "Well, the contract starts February 1 and today's January 25 so I guess as soon as possible."
TA: "Normal processing time is ten working days but we can do faster if you pay more."
CM: "How much more?"
TA: "It depends."
CM: "Yeah, yeah just tell me how much... and remember the fuckin' Consulate is closed for New Year... Gung Hey Fat Choi."
TA: "Okay... I will give to Consulate and book you ticket."
I was issued the visa despite my name being misspelled on the WP; bought a ticket after I got the visa and was only three days late arrivng in China.