Do I have to provide my expired passport along with the new passport if I have travelled China befor

I plan to visit China this summer. I renewed my US passport last year. I was told that I need to provide my old passport along with the new passport in order to get Chinese visa, because I have visited China before. Is that true? If so, what should I do if I can't find the old passport? (BTW, I can provide the dates and destinations etc. from my previous trip to China, since I was travelling with my parents.) Please guide.