Visa Man, thank you for the update and I bet many others will be thankful as well. Many, inclusive me, that have been in China for a while know how illegal it is to work on an L, but imagine that you are changing an employer. It's pretty difficult to extend an RP that is valid until the last day of your employment contract and with an employer you wish to leave. That's was in my case when I had to work on my last day of RP validity as my employer provided me with a work visa until the last day of our contractual agreement only. My last month on that job was busy and so I had little time to search for new opportunities. I bet many others may get into similar situations where they convert their work visas into one month L visas and when they assume the new position there's usually an overlap there. Otherwise, if we want to change employers, we'll have to get out of the country first. Yes, I guess that's what the Chinese authorities are hoping for as they're playing into the cards of local employers...either you are loyal or get out! Another issue is the one that you've mentioned with foreigners arriving on Ls and then seeking and/or assuming job positions in China. In this case, my view is that the local authorities are to reduce the competetive foreign teachers' job market. Ironically, some employers want to see us before they hire us.
I'd say
Cheers and beers to our successful exit rather than arrival