Thanks for this answer I also went to my city and got the PCC but I would like to ask you. In your PCC did they write that no offences has been committed in the city of residence.or was it a global PCC that no offense has been committed in the country ?I finally went to Shenzhen in China, and finally got my PCC for full duration ( including for 1 year when I stayed in China on travel visa too). It was a very easy process, but they will ask for Tanjia ( Temporary Residence certificate for each year you lived in China), I had it for only 1 year and many dont retain it post leaving China.. initially they said they cannot issue me as I didnt have any Tanjia.. and I was like WTF? here are my visa and stamps, alien employment permits, Company certificate and all, the lady at counter was kind enough to talk to her boss and told me to fill up a form and then told me to come after 3 days.
On 3rd day, I was duly presented with the PCC for full duration I wanted that too at 0 cost( blinkblink) .. BUT, like anything in China, nothing is straight forward, it turns out the PCC presented will be in Chinese only and they wont entertain any request for english and chinese bi lingual PCC. So I had to rush to notary for translation and notarisation. They will take 1 week and charge CNY 125 for translation and notarisation and give 2 copies of it.
Again when I to collect the translation and notarisation, Again there was a twist, they wont return you the original PCC, and no amount of arguing would deter them. So I rushed to the Shenzhen Police Centre for foreigners in Zhuzulin, and asked for one more copy from the same lady showing her the photo on my phone and she printed out one more.. VOILA..
I know everyone can not do it but for me the cost of engaging these agencies and going there was same. So I did it.