A recruiter is certainly not needed in the case of experienced FT's.

Not in my case, and I'm more 'experienced' than you are in China - been here before you ever thought of comin here; but unlike you, I've special 'visa' needs..lol! And recruiters assist me greatly to achieve same. As do agents, especially River's company in Yuncheng of Shanxi.
Money ain't everything - I get a massive 'power' kick out of my 'visa' games. Much better than havin loads of money to spend. Please don't generalize in future.