The question is why should you pay it to them instead to the visa issuing body and to the medical doctor directly. Very fishy....

Exactly, some jobs I have seen deduct the visa costs from your first months salary, or cover it themselves. I don't mind that, for the salary it is risk versus reward.

I understand what you are saying, but for someone with my qualifications, I can't earn in China, what I could earn there. Not drinking/smoking,having a girlfriend does not bother me, those things are traps in China.

Good luck and thanks for your research into this matter,
CT