visa requirements

Yo Teru. Good stuff, but the requirements for China are out of date. 

For US passport holders who want an L (Tourist/Family visit) visa: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm

For F (business) visas: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84247.htm

For J-1 (china correspondent) visa: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw/jzfw/3635/Part%20I/t25128.htm

For J-2 (short term reporting journalist) visa: contact your Consulate. Usually, requires letter from agency or news outlet, valid press credentials of some sort and pre-approval of story you are reporting on.

P.S. 
The links for the L and F visa are for US passport holders. For other countries the requirements and prices are different.