Can I use the Beijing 144 hour visa free?

I am arriving in BJ Airport from Australia on April 23, 2018
Stay 3 nights in hotel in the city
Then depart Tianjin Cruise Terminal for a cruise on April 26, 2018
Cruise finishes in Hong Kong and does not enter China ports again.
Can I use the 144 hour visa free permit or do I need to get a single entry visa from China Embassy before we travel.
I emailed embassy who couldn't answer, not authorised and requested I contact Airport Customs. Unfortunately no email address only phone, and the person answering does not speak english, only chinese. Rang and emailed Australian Embassy who can't give advice and confirmed that BJ Airport Customs Office does not have an email contact, just telephone.