Can I apply to extend a residence permit one or two days late?

[liuzhou]

As far as I'm aware, Liuzhou's not yet over 60 either

Indeed. But heading in that direction.

As a new member to this forum I'm surprised that guys still confuse the term 'residence permit' with 'visas'. ... ... A residence permit (temporary) is a document issued by the local police

As an old member I'm surprised that 'guys' still confuse residence permit with accommodation registration.

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a visa cannot be exchanged for a residence permit, you must have both.

Wrong. A 'Z' visa must be exchanged for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China.

A visa of any description allows you to enter and exit the country and determines the duration of stay. (in your passport).

Not quite. A Z visa is an entry visa. I have left and re-entered China countless times on my residence permit. There is no visa in my current passport.

Other forum members from Guangxi seem to get issued residence permits in their passports as Roddy described.

Yes, Guangxi have been putting residence permits in passports since 2005

And finally, in case there is still confusion, a residence permit looks like this.

As you can see it says "Residence Permit for Foreigner" at the top.