http://bitcoin.xyz/pboc-proposes-person-verification-account-opening-exchanges-withdrawals-still-hold/
An exchange insider, Lu, told the Chinese publication that one of the items listed is the requirement for all new users to go through on-site verification before they can open an account. Bitcoin.com previously reported on the PBOC potentially requiring on-site verification in order to deposit or withdraw 50,000 yuan when using a Chinese bitcoin trading platform, but doing so to open an account was not mentioned.
Lu commented that this requirement is not feasible and does not follow the trends of the internet, citing that even stock market trading accounts allow remote video verification.
We shall have to wait and see if a) they accept viseo verification and b) how many of the customers of those exchanges agree to video verification.
I suppose b) depends on how much money is involved and whether they can afford to walk away to keep a low profile from the Chinese govt.
In-person verification is a ridiculous request, IMO. Unless their plan is not to "regulate" BTC, but rather to kill it in their country. Most aren't going to travel just to verify their identities.
It IS ridiculous - but the Chinese are worried about capital flight. Their forex reserves have dropped by a staggering $1 trillion in just two years as they try to prevent the yuan from collapsing due to capital flight.
It is possible that they take a super hard line just to deter people, and if the price is killing bitcoin in China, they just don't care.