A Chinese acquaintance insists there is now a retirement visa available in China. I can't find any mention of such a visa anywhere. Has anyone any knowledge of this visa option?

I am also interested in this info. ALSO what about green cards? Anybody have more info about these?

I haven't heard of the retirement visa. A Chinese search only turned up information for similar visas in other countries. Visas are handled by the PSB within China, and the embassy system abroad, so I'd suggest checking their websites, or ask one of those visa service companies in Beijing.

As for the green card, there is a lot of information about that on the internet. The requirements are very high, and I've heard that they have issued only a handful of them over the past few years.

You are eligible if you meet one of the 10 or so requirements, which are things like personally investing over 1 million USD in China, or being the representative of a group investing something like 10 million or more. There is a provision for spouses, but you have to be living in China for 5 years continuously to be eligible. I think there's one for foreigners holding executive positions at Chinese companies for over 5 years, and then one for people who have made a "great contribution to Chinese social development", which basically means you have a governor in your pocket.

If you apply for this, they will investigate your tax and police records, as well as check with intelligence folks to see if you're likely to cause any embarrassment. The process apparently takes six months.