China Visas more difficult to get?

That's according to China Law Blog. Personally, I didn't have any issues about a month ago. My parents who are out in Asia and got their visas about 2 weeks ago, just before flying over didn't either (we all got one year multiples). In fact, the requirements seemed considerably more lax than the period prior to the Olympics (I had even forgotten to bring the appropriate letters).

As "William" in their comments notes, "I find these visa games more than a little distasteful. Getting a US visa is no picnic but at least the US doesn't secretly change the rules while pretending that the policy is the same." Agreed (it's also why the first rule in cutting down corruption in developing countries is to cut down the red tape so officials don't have the option to play favorites).