Thank you John. Scared by the prospect of having to obtain a visa and not getting it time,

I got my airlines to change my flight and avoid any stops in China : they did that at no cost (high premier flyer status helped). Though my trip via Ghaunzhou where I change flight within 2 hours should have been safely transit from one gate to another with a 24-hour entry permit as you point out. I won't need to obtain a visa from the consulate for this, right? Cheers