Auckland (New Zealand) > Vladivostok (Russia) via Beijing (China) return

Hi, Im travelling with Russian passport and was told by the flight agency that i will need a transit visa. I will spend 3.5 hours on my way to Russia and another 14 hours on my way back to New Zealand. I'm not intending to go out of the airport.
I was told the reason is that I will need to collect my baggage in the main area.
Could you please advise if it is correct and I will have to apply for a visa? Thanks