1

I think the fine is 500 rmb per day, and you might have to sign a statement explaining why you have overstayed. On the other hand, you might not be fined at all if the immigration officer decides to be lenient.

2

If you are catching a flight out, allocate more time than usual.

3

Go to the local police department in the main city you will be departing from and apply for an extension; otherwise you could possibly be in trouble or fined. Better to apply for the extension ahead of time rather than have to deal with a potencial problem. Been there; done that.

4

Where and how are you departing?

I've done it twice before... 1st time absolutely nothing happened and I left with no problems.

2nd time the immigration officer mentioned I was 1 day over my stay, I acted stupid as though I thought it was 1 month I could stay (as opposed to 30 days) and said I thought today was the right date to leave. He called someone over and had a quick chat, then let me go through... no problems. This was at Guilin airport in 2012.

Have had friends do similar at border crossing in Shenzhen, nothing happened.

Just sharing experiences. Not saying the same will happen to you. Technically you should be fined, anything more than that not sure what if there are meant to be further consequences. If this is you first time doing it, I would not worry so much. If you are a cautious person and set on coming back to China many times, living here or something you fret about... try and extend your visa or leave on time.

5

i called the visa office in Sydney and they told me that they count the day i enter china which makes it 31 days. i am leaving haikou. this is the first time that i will overstay if i don't extend my visa. i am confused why the visa office gave me 30 days in china when my previous visas allowed me to stay for up to 60 days.

6

China and China visas confuse everyone

7

I agree that for just one day playing dumb will probably work. I use this strategy sometimes. Like if I hear something I do not like then I can no longer speak mandarin. ;-)

8

With only 1 day, I'd also forego getting an extension. I think chances are better than 75% that they will either:
1) Do nothing except frown, then stamp you out without comment. Your strategy: play dumb and say nothing; OR
2) Give you a mild scolding and point out you are overstaying your visa. Your strategy: be very humble and apologetic and say you miscalculated when you booked your flight out. Likely they will stamp you out anyway.

That leaves 25% possibility of 3) which is a scolding and a fine, which would be RMB 500. Have this cash ready just in case. However, I actually think chances of this are relatively small for a one-day overstay. When you exit, try to get into a queue for an Immigration Official with a lot of stars on his shoulders--a ranking officer who will have more discretion to decide your fate on the spot, rather than a junior officer who will have to call over a supervisor. And as advised above, give yourself extra time in case you get delayed at Immigration for a bit.