Hi, Patrick - do not worry!

In some provinces of China, you may be too old to teach legally there. There are other provinces where this is no issue at all, you just need to find the right place.
For example, in my case, I am over 60 (will be 62 soon), and as I am well qualified (Ph.D., lots of publications, and teaching experience, and all that), I continue to receive job offers from China which I must regularly decline - I am living in Kenya now, and here is a lot of work to do!

Most places in China that will refuse based on age alone do not deserve you, and perhaps it is good that they refuse you - they are mostly not the best jobs and working places either. Better to stay at home where you are than ending up in a hellhole, isn't it?

Don't give up searching, and good luck!