...is part of a general trend by the Chinese government to make it harder to hire foreigners.
The assinine EXTRA CAAC medical examinations that make one feel like a lab rat are well published on other threads but have increased as well over the last 12 months.
The latest BS requirement in this trend at my Chinese contract job is the requirement of USA passport (only USA) holders to have a face to face interview with the Police Chief in order to renew your working/resident visa. This was required for the initial visa but never required for the annual renewals.