Hello,

I will be arriving in Shanghai Pudong airport on July 9th to transfer for a flight to Japan, I'll be visiting Japan for three weeks before returning China to start work. I've booked a one way ticket to Shanghai, as requested by my work. I have then booked a seperate return ticket from Shanghai to Tokyo, leaving three hours after I arrive in Shanghai. I have been approved for a Chinese Z visa and the school will be sending me the invitation letter soon. I think I will need to go through customs and "enter" China after arriving in Shanghai, because I will need to check in to my next flight and re-check my bags. I'm wondering, will they mark my Z visa as having entered China at this time, although I will only be in the airport for three hours? Or will they allow me to clear customs and check into my flight to Japan without marking my Z visa as having entered China?