transfer through china before studying

I'm planning on travelling in south east asia before going up to china to start a year studying abroad but in order to get part of my travel reimbursed i need to fly to beijing first (i'll then just get a cheap flight to bangkok or somewhere else in south east asia). Obviously i'll have a student X type for china but will this be an issue for me transferring through the country as i'm aware i have to apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival in china and i was planning on being in south east asia for more than 30 days. Essentially will i go through immigration while transferring through beijing and will this result in my visa being activated?