NEW CHINESE VISA APPLICATION CENTRE http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/visaen/visaView.html?method=index
The Chinese Embassy are now stating that a new procedure for Chinese visas will start sometime in June 2008.
This will mainly affect those that apply for a Chinese visa in person, not sure how this will impact on Agents applications.
It appears that fee's wil be increased for American citizens but the UK fee's will remain as listed.

Best read in order below:-

• http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/zyxw/t436011.htm
  
• http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/zyxw/t444829.htm
  
• http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/lsyw/chivisa/t281960.htm
  
• http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/zyxw/t441794.htm
  
• http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/lsyw/chivisa/t281954.htm