Anecdotes: visa policy is relaxing

via WikipediaEarly signs indicate that the rigid new visa policies, introduced in April, show signs of relaxation. In a Dutch citizen reported that a 30-day L visa was without problem transferred to a 6-month F visa, notably in Beijing.
Another anecdote reports that a Canadian citizens got a 2x30-day visa in Hong Kong, while he expected he had to go back to Canada for a new visa.
While it is too early to say that the policy is changing, the anecdotes suggests that now more is possible than even a few weeks ago.
That might be too late to save the 2008 summer for the tourist industry, especially because of the ongoing uncertainty, but it is worthwhile to keep track of these changes.

Update: The same source had another anecdote from Kunming, in English this time (no direct link given):

- visa extensions for 30 days (tourists) (AFAIK - not totally sure here - but certainly no paperwork), up to 90 days (business class F) (needs local business paperwork)
- new business visas (class Z) still OK (needs local business paperwork)
- conversion to business visas (class F) from tourist still OK (needs local business paperwork)
- conversion to student visas from tourist still OK (but must attend class, or cancelled)
- overstay fine: 10 days 'let you off', over 10 days, 200(?)RMB/day, but will round down a bit if they feel like it

As a rule of thumb you can assume that the more south you get in China, regulations will be interpreted more liberal.