China transit visa confusion :-(

Question

So we've booked flights from Sydney -> Xiamen -> Beijing PKX -> Russia. Sydney to China is via Xiamen airlines. Beijing to Russia is via S7 airlines. Total time in China is less than 12 hours.

Do we need to apply for a Visa since we're transiting two ports i.e Xiamen and Beijing? The time in Xiamen is only 2 hours.

I ask because I found this YouTube video where these travelers were not allowed to transit through Xiamen on the way to Netherlands:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow8z2lRt2yw

Answer

For your situation, traveling from Sydney to Xiamen, then Beijing, and onward to Russia within a total time of less than 12 hours, the visa requirements depend on the type of transit and whether you leave the airport transit area.

Key points to consider:

Short transit in Xiamen (2 hours): If you remain in the international transit area of Xiamen airport and do not pass through immigration or collect checked baggage, you generally do not require a Chinese visa. This is considered an airside transit.
Transit in Beijing PKX: Similarly, if your stay in Beijing is brief and you remain in the airport transit zone, a visa is usually not required. This is valid as long as you are continuing on an international flight and do not exit the airport.
Multiple transit points: The fact that your journey involves two Chinese airports does not automatically require a visa, provided you are not entering mainland China (immigration clearance) and your layovers are short.

Additional considerations:

Check your airline: Some airlines require you to hold a visa even for airport transfers, depending on their policy or if you need to re-check luggage.
Connections with different tickets: If your flights are booked on separate tickets, you might need to clear immigration and collect luggage in Xiamen or Beijing, which would require a visa.
Chinese airport rules can change: Occasionally, even short transits may require a visa due to local regulations, so it is best to confirm with Xiamen Airlines and S7 Airlines, and double-check the latest China transit policies for Australian passport holders.

Summary:

If you stay airside (in the transit area) at both Xiamen and Beijing airports and continue directly to your international flight to Russia, you likely do not need a visa.
If you need to leave the airport or re-check luggage due to separate tickets, you will need a Chinese transit visa or a regular tourist visa.

Always confirm with the airlines and official Chinese consulate guidance to avoid unexpected issues, as enforcement can vary.