PSB in Xi'an are insisting on authenticated documents even for RP renewal. FT just got caught out after returning from his home country. After arriving back in China his school called him and told him he needs to get his docs authenticated, or no renewal. Needless to say that contacting him whilst he was at home would have been "too easy". Now he must do everything by mail. Another FT in the same city was told he couldn't board the plane he had booked because the PSB now need passports for 2 whole weeks. He got the message from his school whilst on his way to the airport. The time between his scheduled return to China and expiration of his existing RP is 8 days, which apparently is now not enough. Be warned....they walk amongst us !