Regarding Family Visa

1 year Multiple entry family L visa is the best visa you can get now. 30 days is ok, because you may not need to leave China actualy. Just go through the control and come back again (many people did that on this situation).

Hey Joe thank you I got the visa for 6 months :) its very easy to get it .

Is that your multiple entry visa cancelled? and get 6 months with 0 entry? if yes, you are so lucky, and may be the one you have now is easy to be extended before expires again.

Yes they cancelled 1 year Multiple visa because I want 6 months thats ok . Now I have with 1 entry 6 months duration and yes its very easy for me to reapply again for 6 months they told me . You see Joe its easy because I am married to my wife and my wife work for the goverment . and yes I am so lucky .