can you advise if I would be able to obtain a permanent resident permit?

I am a British national married to a Chinese national since 2003, I lived in China as a owners representative for a foreign owned shipbuilding company from 2000 till 2012 while my company was building new vessels in Shanghai, I lived there with multiple entry / exit business visas with durations between 4-6 months at one time returning to our home in Thailand for leave periods of 4-6 weeks, I am 68 and my wife 50 and now live back in the UK since 2014 but miss Asia and wish to move back there and if possible live in mainland,