"Otherwise, single FT's who want to do things honestly, will just continue to be penalized."

I don't see how this follows. I have done everything in terms of visas "honestly", before and after I married. The new visa rules have some positives and negatives. The visa application form I completed specifically asks about who is inviting you to China, their details and their address. So my wife wrote an invitation letter, which was acceptable at the visa processing centre. This is in addition to the usual stuff like, passport, marriage certificate, and proof of address in China. And there is a question about financial support in that you have to declare where the finance is coming from to support your stay. This provison is not unlike the requirements for both British and American"vsiiting relatives" visas. There is also a new Declaration Form where you declare the information provided is correct.

The new rules are clearly aimed at, but not exclusively, those who apply for a tourist visa but are really coming to look for work. I'm guessing, but I also think there will be a clampdown on those employers who have been flouting the law for years. The simple reason for this is that the governemnt will be losing income from the new social insurance law if unscrupulous employers don't declare they are employing foreigners - especially those dubious training centres who may not have a licence to operate. This is why some expats who have been working for years on an F visa are finding their contracts were not renewed for September, when the new immigration law came into effect.

All of the visa application documents are scanned and made available to the PSB. It also wouldn't surprise me if there was a threat of deportation if the visa conditions are not met. And while the guy was processing my visa he referred to a list in Chinese. I only got a brief glance but it appeared to have several foreign names on it. I'm guessing it was the blacklist.

So, in summary I don't think being married has any specific benefits in terms of visas. Nor do I think single guys are at a disadvantage.