From Mar 30th 2004, the procedure of applying Chinese Visa for US citizens changed as the following:
1.Chinese government grants ordinary visas and levies a visafee for US personnel who hold diplomatic or service passports who are traveling for personal purposes according to their intention.
2.And interviews with some US citizens who are applying for visas to China in the Chinese embassy and consulates should be required.
3.The decision also banned US citizens from applying for visas upon their arrival, noting that the visa application must have been granted before they enter China.