well 2009 was last year and I got a Z there and got it converted into a Residence permit, no worries. So did the aussie.

And as jay has said he knew someone who just got his Z visa in HK. It's perfectly simple. You pay your money, you make your choice. You can either go home, or you can get the documents in China and get the permission, and then do it in HK, for same day incl rush fee, 700 hk dollars for UK citizens.

Entirely up to you man.