Well, I received my permit etc. from China on monday, went to the embassy tuesday-morning. I don't know what it's like in the rest of the world, but here in The Netherlands you can't make appointments or anything like that, it's first come - first served every day. I guess they do the paperwork in the afternoon, because they're only available from 9.00 to 12.00 in the morning.
So I wrestled my way through the morning rush-hour traffic and arrived very early, expecting to be ridiculed by the guards, but there were at least 20 people waiting in line outside the gate already. Before 9.00am the line had grown to about 50. For the hour or so I spent in the embassy, the line never got shorter.
Of course all my paperwork was in order, except I hadn't enough fotocopies. So they sent me to the lobby upstairs, at the equivalent of 5rmb per copy and everybody needing extra copies I know how the embassy staff pay for their tea. I asked nicely and my visa would be rushed through (at an extra charge, of course) even though on the phone I was told it wouldn't be possible. I'll be in line at 8.15am again to pick up my passport with pretty red stamps in it wednesday, then it's off to China on friday!
Not everyone fared so well, one guy in front off me hadn't filled out an application form (didn't even know he needed one), another had no hotel reservations for his trip, a third got all irritated from waiting. C'mon people, this is the big leagues of beauracracy!