Terminal Changes

I am planning to transit China (one of the approved airport), and am only making a connection - i.e. USA - CHINA AIRPORT - onward to another country. There will be no hotel layover, just a connecting flight. Can we make this terminal transfer without any type of VISA? One of my travelers (I am a travel manager) had to change terminals and told us he had to get a visa. I'm not sure that his statement was correct - but if he had to get any type, was it the transit visa?