I am not aware of an embassy fee for degree verification. Even if there is one, it cannot be the rationale behind this new verification process; embassies are not profit making facilities.

Regulations are made as attempts to control behavior. Some work well. Some don't. I doubt that this one will be particularly effective, mostly because private language schools and recruiters will continue to act to subvert any regulations because the are quite willing to put their FTs at risk.

And yes: these regulations will act to diminish the number of FTs at universities and high schools.

You would write different regulations. I would too. But that's moot.

I've already expressed my belief that most universities and high schools are actually not too concerned about losing their FTs. The Chinese English teachers are happy to absorb the additional jobs and most Chinese teachers were never particularly happy about FTs on staff.

IF, and it's a big 'if', these universities and high schools want truly qualified foreign teachers next academic year, they can pay more and absorb costs. Maybe that will happen. I suspect not.