Question Regarding return of original documents for a "Z" visa (time sensitive-leaving very soon)

Hello, I really hope that you can help me with this. I am leaving for PRC very soon and don't have much time left to figure this out.

I recently applied for and successfully obtained a work "z" type. This was expedited by the agent/ service and sent back to me by Federal Express. However, the original documents that were submitted were not returned. These are 1) the " letter of invitation from a duly authorized unit" and 2) the "Foreign Expert's Work Permit" The second is the typical permit for folks hired to teach English in PRC.

I was under the impression that the originals would be returned to the agent and the mailed back to me with the passport. I did speak to their office via an on-line chat, but the situation is a little unclear and no one is available in their office until Monday.

Given that I am leaving on this Wednesday morning, flying through Detroit, and am not located anywhere near NY city, this is making me highly nervous. I will have to apply for a residency permit within 30 days and I think that I will need these original documents to do so. Is anyone with recent experience with the new procedures at the Embassy able to shed some light on this? I am trying to figure out if 1) keeping the documents is a new procedure 2) if so what happens to them? 3) will I need them when I get to China and apply for the residency permit? 4) if the procedures have not changed, where are my documents and how can I get them back? 5) are the documents lost, and, if so and I need them, what are my options for replacement? I do have a color copy of the " foreign expert work permit. " unfortunately, my copy of the letter of invitation is only in black and white due to some sort of glitch on my scanner. thanks, Jk

I hope that you can shed some light on this. I did send out an email to both the Consulate and the Agent but have not heard back from either. However, it's the weekend so I suppose that this is understandable