In Sichuan it is still possible to go to HK to obtain a Z visa but you can not do it from Chongqing. I was off a Z visa for one year because of the five year rule and I last year I traveled to Thailand to obtain the new Z visa. If I was still in Chongqing, which actually does not enforce the five year rule, I would have had to go home to get the new Z visa. My friend here in Chengdu had the same situation and went to Hong Kong just before spring festival and came back on a Z visa. I have never had to show a police check but I did sign a statement saying that I have a clean record...sort of strange. Maybe it is because I have lived in China for so many years.

A couple of years ago my son who lives in Chongqing was required to obtain a Z visa outside of China because his first work permit was issued within China without first having a Z visa. He started working after graduating from a university in Chongqing. The rules and regulations keep changing and vary in different areas. Sort of like the US. In my state it is legal to buy and smoke pot but go one state over and get your butt tossed in jail for doing it.