I live in China, and trade bitcoin OTC, localbitcoins, and using btcchina.
I think this is a false rumor: I have seen nothing to indicate that people are required to withdraw their cash by Chinese New Year. In fact, the PBOC (China central bank) explicitly said people can continue to trade bitcoin, but they are treating it as a "commodity" rather than a "currency". This is actually a good thing, because use of alternative currencies is not allowed in China.
You can still buy bitcoin as usual on btcchina, but selling (convert to Chinese Yuan RMB) is "temporarily" suspended. Note they explicitly say they will provide "other ways of recharging." (see below)
My guess is, the suspension will be lifted in a few days, after the rules are clarified, and it will be back to normal. I think ultimately China will go for the USA model: try to force all trades through registered exchanges that require proof of identity and use of banks. This will allow them to track and regulate money exchange.
If I am wrong, and bank transfers are not allowed, then it will simply force bitcoin trade underground. It will not stop bitcoin. People like me will make a premium selling OTC and localbitcoins to Chinese who are desperate to buy bitcoin
The biggest users of bitcoin in China are rich guys who want to move or hide large quantities of RMB. Bitcoin is the perfect vehicle for them, but they will use OTC trades for anonymity, anyway.
Governments and banksters are afraid of what they don't understand and can't control. They can fight bitcoin, but bitcoin is bigger than governments, and will continue to grow regardless.
--
Here is the official notice on BTC China, and translation:
亲爱的各位比特币中国(BTC China)用户:由于众所周知的原因,比特币中国(BTC China)不得不暂时停止人民币充值功能,比特币充值、比特币提现和人民币提现不受影响,比特币中国(BTC China)会继续运营。请大家继续关注我们的主页,我们会尽快提供其他的充值途径。给您带来的不便,我们在此表达深深的歉意。比特币中国(BTC China)2013.12.18
Dear bitcoin China (BTC China) users: due to well-known reasons, bitcoin China (BTC China) had to temporarily freeze the recharging function, bitcoin charging, coins and currency are not affected, bitcoin China (BTC China) will continue to operate. Please continue to focus on our home page, we will provide other means of recharging. To bring you any inconvenience, we express profound apology. Bitcoin China (BTC China) 2013.12.18
Anyone wants to set a protest in DC against Chinese government freezing all Chinese bitcoin trade platforms?
Chinese government just ceased all bank from trading with all bitcoin/LTC/etc related platforms. ALL PLAYERS HAS TO WITHDRAW before Chinese the new year.
They cut the price to almost 1/3
Now here is no way for chinese not to sell.
After chinese new year in January. These platforms will have no way to cash out.
so there will be no chinese way to sell bitcoins. And remember they have the Great Firewall. Mtgox is already banned in china.
3505 International Pl NW
Washington, DC 20008