Good that you've got e-mail evidence to back up your pension provider's incompetance, better than unsubstantiated information told to you on the phone..
I have also had trouble with the SPPA a few years back regarding a long delay in initiating my pension payments. I called them on a few occasions. At first, the administrator came to the phone. But later the telephone receptionist said she couldn't see his head above the screens, it must be an open-plan office. "Just hold on a moment, I'll see if his head is above the screen", in other words - give me time to tell you he's out when he's in if he doesn't want to speak to you. Very cute, indeed, but I wasn't fooled!
I've no doubt you'll succeed in getting paid soon. But it's very annoying, all the same, isn't it? Yep, they goofed in the first place with your case trying to pay you in Chinese money. Hence the unreasonable delay.