thanks guys, given me some things to look into today, especially the FIPE option.

There are people registering their business on Hong Kong and operating in China. Don't know if that is an easier and procedure to open your business in China and to get long term visas.

@yankee00 I did come across this but saw quite a few comments on the trouble people had with this so didn't follow up checking it out though.

That's right, Hong Kong registered business puts you nowhere closer to doing legal business in mainland China.

Well, technically it does put you a little bit closer, if you have no registered business anywhere to begin with.